Duke basketball has a non-conference schedule that includes games against Arizona, Auburn, Illinois, Kansas and Kentucky.
The Blue Devils finalized their non-ACC slate on Thursday morning. Duke coach Jon Scheyer added four players from the transfer portal and a six-player freshman class that includes Cooper Flagg to join starters Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor this season.
The Blue Devils are scheduled to host Countdown to Craziness on Oct. 4 before opening the season a month later against Maine at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Here’s a breakdown of Duke’s top non-conference games and a look at the full list of non-conference opponents.
Duke basketball and Kentucky meet again at the Champions Classic in Atlanta
After two home games against Maine (Nov. 4) and Army (Nov. 8), Duke heads to Atlanta for a showdown with Kentucky on Nov. 12 as part of the Champions Classic. The Blue Devils are 8-5 in the event, including three wins against the Wildcats. Duke has won five of its last six games against Kentucky, which is beginning a new era under rookie coach Mark Pope.
Blue Devils travel to Arizona for rematch with Caleb Love, Wildcats
In one of the most memorable matchups of 2024, Duke and Arizona put on a show for fans inside Cameron Indoor Stadium last season. The Wildcats won 80-73, with former UNC guard Caleb Love knocking down free throws in the final minute to put the game on ice. Love is back to host Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils at the McKale Center on Nov. 22. Duke hasn’t played in Arizona since 1991 and the Devils have lost three straight games to the Wildcats.
Cooper Flagg and Duke meet Hunter Dickinson, Kansas in Las Vegas
After their trip to Tucson, the Blue Devils will likely stay out West before traveling to Las Vegas for a Thanksgiving week showdown with Kansas on Nov. 26. Flagg and Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson will be among the featured stars that night in Las Vegas. Duke is 8-6 against the Jayhawks.
Auburn arrives at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the ACC/SEC Challenge
On the same night (Dec. 4) UNC hosts Alabama, Duke will play Auburn at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Blue Devils are 4-0 against the Tigers, but the teams haven’t played in Durham since 1981. In last season’s inaugural ACC/SEC challenge, Duke lost to Arkansas.
Blue Devils return to Madison Square Garden to face Illinois
In its final non-conference game of the season, Duke will head to Madison Square Garden to play Illinois on February 22. Scheduled in the middle of ACC play, this will be the Blue Devils’ first non-conference game in February since hosting St. Two Elite Eight teams last season, Duke and Illinois haven’t played since the Fighting Illini picked up a 15 points over Cameron in 2020. The Devils have won five of their eight games against Illinois.
2024-25 Duke Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
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October 4th, countdown to madness
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October 19 vs. Lincoln (Pa.) (Exhibition)
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November 4 vs. Maine
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November 8 against Army
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November 12 vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic in Atlanta)
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November 18 vs. Wofford
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November 22nd in Arizona
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November 26 vs. Kansas (Las Vegas)
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November 29 vs. Seattle
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December 4 vs. Auburn (ACC/SEC Challenge)
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December 10th vs. Word Incarnate
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December 17 vs. George Mason
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February 22 vs. Illinois (New York)
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared in The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball non-conference schedule, key games of the 2024-25 season
