Jon Scheyer excited to get full roster healthy during final stretch of season

In his first season as the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, Jon Scheyer has had to deal with some ups and downs. It’s part of the learning curve in being a first-year head coach, especially one who is replacing a legend.

Part of Duke’s problems this season have come down to injuries. Now, during the final stretch of the regular season, Scheyer is excited to have a healthy roster.

“I can’t wait,” Jon Scheyer smiled.

“I think that’s been tough, not from the standpoint of, of course, having everybody you want because you could point to anybody in the game tonight and they stepped up and made winning plays, but also roles changed based on who you have and who’s in. So, now, the evolution of our team I think we’re at a point where we’re figuring that out more and we’re playing to our strengths and guys know what to expect from each other I think that’s the biggest thing when you don’t have that consistency.”

At 18-8 and 9-6 in ACC play, Duke is currently sixth in the conference. That’s not up to the standard that is in place at a program like Duke. Jon Scheyer, who played and coached under Mike Krzyzewski, knows that’s the case.

“So, for us, we need to get recharged here. It’s been a tough stretch for us and we have an off day tomorrow and then to really recharge and refocus on ourselves. Understanding, I mean, Syracuse is a different game in the fact that their zone [defense]. But, practice time is really important for this team.”

Duke has five games left during the regular season. Only one of those games is against a currently ranked team–NC State. The regular season ends with a trip to rival North Carolina. However, first up is that trip to Syracuse on Saturday.

Jon Scheyer on Coach K’s first game back at Cameron Indoor Stadium

Coach K, Jon Scheyer’s mentor and a legend at Duke, returned to Duke to watch the Blue Devils play Notre Dame. The Irish, it’s worth pointing out, are coached by another Krzyzewski disciple, Mike Brey.

After the close win, Scheyer explained what it was like to have Coach K in the building.

“We talked about it preseason. ‘When are you going to come to a game? We want you at a game.’ And for him to be here tonight, it’s special for me. I’ve been in so many battles and games here with him, with him right next to me. I don’t know how he felt sitting over there instead of on the bench. It just means a lot, his support. He’s been incredible throughout this whole year, throughout this whole process. And I just wanted to make sure we got a win while he was here. But it was really special for me to having him and Mickie as well. That was a really cool thing for me and the team and our staff,” Scheyer explained.

“It wasn’t nerves from me, but it was emotional just because of how many moments we’ve been in there together. And once the game started, I was coaching the team and all that. But for me walking out, just walking right by him, that’s such a special thing for me. I met Coach 20 years ago, so to be in this position, this situation now, and to have his support, I can’t even tell you how supportive he has been from Day 1. Whether it’s a loss, win, whatever it is. And he’s that person for me. He’ll always be that person for me.”