Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach produce during Duke’s Countdown to Craziness

The college basketball season is officially underway at Duke University. The Blue Devils’ annual Countdown to Craziness is Duke’s version of Midnight Madness. The event is used as an enjoyable spectacle for the fans complete with player introductions, and dances, and culminates with a 20-minute scrimmage.

This event also serves as a major recruiting event for the Blue Devils. Tonight, head coach Jon Scheyer hosted four-star guard Acaden Lewis and four-star wing Shelton Henderson for official visits and Five-Star Plus+ forward Nate Ament for an unofficial visit.

While the pomp and circumstance got the crowd to its feet, this was the first time the public was able to to see the 2024-25 version of the Blue Devils. With that, On3’s Jamie Shaw sat courtside for the event so let’s discuss some talking points from Duke’s Countdown to Craziness.

Khaman Maluach will play a pivotal role

Khaman Maluach is big. That is obvious from when the Duke team first walks on the floor. The official roster lists him at 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds. And with Patrick Ngongba nursing an injured foot, Maluach is also the only player projected in the rotation over 6-foot-10.

If Countdown to Craziness was any indication, Maluach did a good job of protecting the paint. On this floor, he was an active rebounder, high-pointing the ball in traffic and he protected the rim, blocking or altering shots from would-be attackers. Maluach’s offensive game is raw and, athletically, he is somewhat stiff in space. It will be interesting how that progresses through the season.

Maluach finished the game with seven points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. The Blue Devils will not need this freshman for much more offense than diving toward the rim and out of the dunker spot. How quickly he adjusts to the college game could be quite pivotal for the top-end outcomes of Duke’s season.

Cooper Flagg picks his spots

The allure of Cooper Flagg is the efficiency with which he plays. He is a connecting piece, able to make the simple play. Flagg moved the ball well on offense and he cleaned up some plays on defense.

Coming into this season, the self-creation and the jump shot were the question marks. Flagg did not take many, opting to move off the ball and relocate more often than not. He finished 1-3 from three in this one, knocking down a shot from behind the line, taking two or three dribbles in the closing minutes and rising up over Neal Begovich for the swish. Flagg did a good job moving off the ball, and putting pressure on the rim, he had six of his points off aggressive off-ball cuts and finishes. This is an area he excels, reading the defense and showing in open gaps. He also had a reverse dunk in transition that got the crowd going. He has good touch around the basket with length and aggressive, explosive burst.

Flagg is an excellent freelance defender. While his offensive game can be somewhat vanilla, the defensive end is where he brings the flash and sizzle. He cleaned up multiple shots at the rim and closed off angles in the passing lanes. He moved the ball well and willingly made the extra pass. Flagg played all 20 minutes of the scrimmage and finished with 13 points going 6-12 from the field and 1-3 from three. He added three rebounds, three assists, and 2 blocks as well.

Isaiah Evans makes shots

Isaiah Evans has made it commonplace in his career that when the lights are the brightest, he is at his best. Evans played a simplistic game and he consistently knocked down shots.

Evans is listed at 6-foot-6, he carries long arms and a high release. What makes Evans so dangerous as a shooter is when he is coming off any type of movement, or a kick-out close-outs, his length and size allow him to get clean looks regularly. It will be interesting to see how Evans’ game develops outside of his shot making (defense, self-creation, rebounding, etc.). Even finishing 4-10 from the field and 3-7 from three, he looked the part, in this setting, as a player who could pull gravity and create consistent problems for the opposing team when he is rolling.

Sion James showed his versatility

Tulane transfer Sion James has scored 1,084 career points through his four college seasons. This includes averaging 14.0 per game last season shooting just over 38 percent from three.

During this scrimmage, James served multiple roles. At times, the 6-foot-6, 220 pound guard initiated the offense. He spaced the floor with his shooting and he showed excellent anticipation and some twitchiness on the defensive end. While James’ game might not excel in any specific aspect, he showed to be valuable across the board. James has a strong frame with nice length. He was in the right place a lot throughout the scrimmage, ready to make the necessary play.

The graduate transfer can fill multiple spots on the floor as a primary or secondary player. James scored 10 points in the game, finishing 4-8 from the field and 2-2 from three. He also added three rebounds and four steals.

This and That…

*Junior guard Tyrese Proctor returns as Duke’s lead guard. He looked very poised in this setting, getting the ball to his teammates and not turning it over. The PG spot is going to be an interesting one for the Blue Devils. While Proctor did not off much dynamic play, did not touch the paint much, and finished 1-7 FG, he played solid defense in the passing lanes and moved the ball around to his teammates.

*The game’s leading scorer ended up being sophomore guard Caleb Foster. After going for 2 points (0-6 FG) in the first half, Foster scored 14 points in the 10-minute second half, going 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from three. Foster also finished the game with four assists playing the full game head-to-head with Proctor.

*There has been a lot of pre-season talk about freshman Kon Knueppel. Knueppel, a native of Wisconsin, played the majority of his high school career as one of On3’s top 25 players. He exploded across the industry after leading Nike’s EYBL Circuit in scoring his 17u season. Knueppel showed flashes of why he was such a highly regarded recruit. He plays with a sturdy base and excellent balance. He is never rushed with the ball and is always ready to make a play (dribble, shoot, pass). Knueppel finished with eight points (3-6 FG / 2-4 3P), four rebounds, and two assists. Not much with his game is flashy but he seems to consistently be able to make the fundamental play.

*It will be interesting how Duke uses Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown this season. His defensive abilities are unique, able to guard along the perimeter, get in the passing lanes, as well and switch and disrupt things on the block. He could fill roles on the wing or on the block. He finished this scrimmage with four points, five rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. Brown could play a pivotal role in the success of Duke’s season.

*Purdue transfer Mason Gillis is a career 40.7 percent three-point shooter on 2.8 attempts per game over his four collegiate seasons. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, his ability to space the floor will get him on the court. He is a solid team defender and did a good job here as an area rebounder. He played all 20 minutes of the scrimmage finishing with five points (1-4 FG) and six rebounds.