There's always quick turnaround in college basketball, and in typical Duke fashion, the Blue Devils have a myriad of hot-shot recruits coming in to save the day.
For five seconds, it felt like Duke basketball crumbled right before our eyes.
The Blue Devils blew a 15-point lead at the half, ultimately becoming a statistic that no other one-seed in the NCAA Tournament has done.
All thanks to a shot from Braylon Mullins of UConn.
But there’s a beacon of light.
If you’ve been a fan of this program, you’ll understand that “The Brotherhood” doesn’t do well with excuses.
Coach Jon Scheyer has been through it all with this program.
He’s seen it all as a player, helping this school win a National Championship, and he’s seen it as an assistant when the program won in 2015.
Scheyer has even taken this program near the top, making a Final Four in his first season as a head coach.
So you may end up seeing his face memed across the internet for months, but in the meantime, Scheyer has his eyes on next season – restocking the cupboard with the nation’s top recruits.
Coming into Durham, Duke will have the pleasure of being graced with Cameron Williams, a five-star recruit with upside so high, you’ll strain your neck from looking up.
Think of Anthony Davis.
And before people come at me for being reckless with comparisons, look at the stature of both.
Davis was 6’11 and skinny in college – the same exact build as Williams.
Williams brings a ton of athleticism, even more bounce, and the impressive ability to shoot the ball.
But what sets Williams apart is his rim protection.
While suiting up for St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Williams averaged 3.3 blocks per game, as well as 11.1 rebounds. Not only that, but 2.5 of those would be on the offensive end.
Are you starting to see where I’m going with this?
Of course, they’re not the same player. Davis may have better handles, and Williams is a better shooter. But they both bring athleticism, length, and defense.
Another top recruit is Deron Rippey Jr., who will for sure give Cayden Boozer a run for his money.
Perhaps the thought coming into this past season was that Boozer would be a one and done like his brother Cam. But it was clear that Cayden needed some refinement to his game.
That’s what college is for.
Which is why the addition of Rippey will be something to monitor over the season.
He’s an uber-explosive guard who is known to be a deterrent on the defensive end, who picks up the ball handler the length of the court.
A coach’s dream.
And if everything on his scouting report is true about him, he will absolutely push Boozer to the limit and fight for his job.
Duke has a few dogs coming onto campus. Beyond Rippey and Williams, Bryson Howard is a five-star forward, and Maxime Meyers, a 7-foot-1 center, will bring extra length in the frontcourt.
Whatever you may think about Duke after the heartbreaking loss to UConn, the standard is still there.
Scheyer isn’t going to weep over this. He’s only going to get better.