Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s poise and maturity following their opening-round victory in the NCAA Tournament, highlighting their discipline and composure in the high-stakes environment.
“I thought it was a workmanlike performance by our team,” Scheyer said after the game. “Anytime you only have two turnovers in a game, that’s pretty good. I thought these guys were incredibly mature for never playing in an NCAA tournament game other than Tyrese and Mason. Proud of the performance, we have to move on really quickly, but good to get our feet wet and understand what the tournament is all about.”
Duke’s ability to limit mistakes played a crucial role in their win, as they controlled the tempo and executed their game plan efficiently. With only two turnovers, the Blue Devils showcased a level of discipline uncommon for a group largely inexperienced in tournament play.
Tyrese Proctor and Mason Gillis, the only players on the roster with previous NCAA Tournament experience, helped steady the team throughout the contest. Meanwhile, Duke’s younger players responded well to the pressure, delivering a balanced effort on both ends of the floor.
With the victory, Duke advances to the next round, where they will face a tougher test. Scheyer emphasized the importance of quickly shifting focus to the next challenge.
“We have to move on really quickly,” he reiterated. “But it was good to get our feet wet and understand what the tournament is all about.”
Duke will look to build on this strong start as they continue their pursuit of a deep tournament run.
