Oregon’s Dan Lanning was inspired by Coach K for this idea.
Oregon Ducks football coach Dan Lanning had a plan heading into Saturday’s game against the Michigan Wolverines.
As the undefeated Ducks prepared to face off against the defending national champions earlier in the week, Lanning told his players about something he wanted to do when they played in Ann Arbor at Michigan Stadium.
In a “Ducks vs. Them” recap video of the victory, fans saw Lanning call a timeout in the fourth quarter so that he could remind them about this idea.
This is an absolutely incredible clip, I’ve watched it 20 times. You could tell in the stadium something was different when they brought everyone up for the huddle.
In that video, Lanning is seen telling his players that he told them about “this moment” on Monday. Then, it cut directly to some behind-the-scene footage of a team meeting a few days prior.
During this session, Lanning showed a video of legendary former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski discussing road victories and what it feels like to watch home fans silenced and leaving early.
Krzyzewski discussed how he would call timeouts to have his players just look into the stands and watch them go home because those are the moments that the student athletes will always remember. Here is more from Lanning:
“I already told you in the beginning of the week. I’m going to remind you at some point in this game. I’m going to tell you to look up at the stands at some point in this game. And you’re going to start to see them empty out. We’ve made the decision before we even stepped on the field.”
When the recap flashed back to the actual game, you could see players wondering where the Michigan fans went. It clearly inspired the roster and everyone seemed excited
This was such a cool idea perfectly executed by the Oregon coach, who currently leads a team ranked No. 1 in the nation.
With both George and Russell Westbrook no longer on the roster and no splashy replacements, the Clippers may not be very good this year. Bad seasons happen, of course, but there is another reason why that is especially notable.
From previous trades, the Thunder are owed whichever pick is a better one between the Rockets and the Clippers. It has only become more probable that Houston outperforms L.A. this season.
If the Clippers miss the postseason in a competitive Western Conference and their pick is in the lottery, the ping pong balls could bounce in any number of ways.
The worst case scenario for the Clippers is that the pick lands at No. 1 overall and they would have traded the rights away to Oklahoma City.
This comes after the organization already traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and various other tremendously valuable draft capital to the Thunder to land George, who is no longer on the roster.
If that total also now includes the next No. 1 pick, which is likely going to become Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft, it would be unprecedentedly unfortunate for this franchise.
That would add a wildly impactful player to a Thunder team that is already projected to win the Western Conference this season, and is only young and getting better.
The Kansas Jayhawks took the top spot on the men’s side while defending national champion South Carolina remained atop the women’s rankings, and both teams will play the Duke Blue Devils before the end of the calendar year.
The men’s basketball team travels to Las Vegas for a battle with the Jayhawks on Tuesday, November 26, just days before Thanksgiving. Kansas is one of five teams in the preseason top 25 on Duke’s schedule, including four teams within the top 11. The Arizona Wildcats (No. 10) and Auburn Tigers (No. 11) are on the slate between November 22 and December 4, the most intimidating stretch of the year.
On the women’s side, the Gamecocks host the Blue Devils on Thursday, December 5, as a part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. While South Carolina hasn’t lost a game since the 2022-23 season, Duke begins the season as the No. 11 team in the country after retaining six of its top seven scorers, recruiting a five-star freshman, and pulling a former five-star from the transfer portal.
Duke basketball fans will get a healthy dose of ranked matchups across both teams before the conference schedule even starts.
Duke begins the year outside of the top five in the AP Poll, but one prominent national analyst thinks the Blue Devils are a top-five team.
The Duke Blue Devils failed to crack the top five of the preseason AP Poll, but one prominent national analyst thinks that top-ranked Cooper Flagg and his teammates are among the country’s upper echelon.
All four teams also start the year above Duke in the AP Poll, but Katz isn’t as high on the Houston Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones. They start the year in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Katz does agree that the Blue Devils are the team to beat in the ACC. He put the North Carolina Tar Heels ninth, the same spot that UNC finished in the preseason AP Poll. Scheyer swept his in-state rival during his first season before losing both games last year, so 2024-25 will serve as a tiebreaker of sorts.
The voters left Duke seventh, only three points behind the Gonzaga Bulldogs in sixth.
Top-ranked freshman [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag] and recent Olympian [autotag]Khaman Maluach[/autotag] lead a freshman class featuring four five-star talents, but Scheyer lost 10 players from last year’s roster. Even with veteran transfers like Tulane’s Sion James, Purdue’s Mason Gillis, and Syracuse’s Maliq Brown, there have been national questions about Duke’s reliance on first-year talent. The team’s spot in the rankings indicates that several voters buy into those concerns.
Despite Scheyer’s team coming in lower than expected, Duke still finished higher than any other team in the ACC. The North Carolina Tar Heels, last year’s conference champion, will start the year in ninth, and no other team from the conference made the top 25 (The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Miami Hurricanes, the Clemson Tigers, and Louisville Cardinals all received votes).
The Kansas Jayhawks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Connecticut Huskies, Houston Cougars, and Iowa State Cyclones took the top five spots in order.
Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer announced their collegiate decision and they will play men’s college basketball at Duke.
Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer announced their collegiate decision and they will play men’s college basketball at Duke.
This is a major win for Duke men’s head basketball coach Jon Scheyer, who officially landed a commitment from one of the top recruits in the nation for the second year in a row. Cameron Boozer is currently the No. 2 player in the class of 2025 and his brother, Cayden, is No. 21 in the class.
It is not exactly shocking that the twin brothers will attend the same school as their father, Carlos Boozer, who won an NCAA title at the university in 2001. But it is majorly impactful for Scheyer.
Plus, t was reportedly not a lock that these incredible basketball players would go to Duke. So for the program to land them both over Miami and Florida was a major win in an era post coach Mike Krzyzewski.
This news comes one year after the coach also received a commitment from Cooper Flagg, who is the No. 1 player in the class of 2024.
We project that Flagg will also hear his name called as the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, though, so his stay in the NCAA will likely not be long.
Flagg is an elite prospect and joins Wembanyama as one of the best we have evaluated in recent years. But he is just one player who will only be on Duke campus for a few months.
The Boozer twins will headline a Duke recruiting class as two top-tier NCAA prospects. Even though Cameron is almost certainly a one-and-done prospect like Flagg, perhaps Cayden decides to stay an extra year in college. It isn’t an impossible thought!
Plus, it should inspire more highly-touted recruits to play alongside them.
That means Scheyer may have just landed more than two seasons of college basketball in one fell swoop, which is impressive work from the third-year coach.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie and TikTok star Jared McCain spoke to USA TODAY’s For The Win.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain will bring his infectious energy from Duke to the pros during his NBA career.
McCain, who was selected with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is also widely known for his popular TikTok account. With more than 3 million followers on the social media platform, he often shares a fresh and candid perspective on his life as a professional basketball player.
“I think my social media persona displays a certain side of me,” McCain told USA TODAY’s For The Win. “But I’m a hard-working player doing what I need to do on the court to help my team win. So if that’s being a dog or however people see my game, I’m going to do whatever I can to help the team win.”
McCain isn’t yet sure how his TikTok presence will impact how other pros play against him.
But he is excited to find out when the regular-season begins and he is matched up against the elite of the elite.
“I don’t know how other NBA players view me,” McCain added. “But we will just see when we get out there and play.”
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
What can you share about your offseason?
(Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
McCain: I had to get a place in Philly and get moved in and do all the little things I had to do to move into my own spot. I definitely had to work on my game. I was watching film with coaches and by myself and stayed in the gym. I was doing stuff I will be doing this season: Catch and shoot, a lot of stuff I’ve been doing my whole life, but perfecting it as much as I can to play this season. Coming into the NBA, there is so much unknown. So for me, it’s doing a little bit of everything but mostly focusing on my main role as a catch-and-shoot guy in the corners when they go and double Paul George or Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey. I’m going to be able to make that catch-and-shoot shot. I’m obviously always trying to be a primary ball handler so I’m trying to perfect that and come off ball screens and make the right reads. I’m trying to learn as much as I can and get that catch-and-shoot perfected.
How were your workouts with your new teammates?
McCain: The workouts were really cool. It was really cool getting to know them and see how they actually work and how they play. We had some training with the team separately and then we played at the Rico Hines runs. It was really cool to get to know them and talk to them because these are people I will spend a lot of time with in this long season. So it was really cool to see Paul George catch the ball in the mid-post and shoot a jumper. That was cool for me. One of my strengths is being able to adapt to any situation so I’m excited to learn my role, whatever it’s going to be. Obviously, there are things you think will happen and it may not be that. But I’ll be ready. I have a quick release. If my man leaves to go double one of them, I’m ready to knock that down.
How was it meeting Paul George as a guest on his podcast?
McCain: It’s pretty crazy that he’s my teammate considering I’ve watched him since I was in middle school. It was pretty surreal to meet him before the podcast was recorded. I’ve watched his podcast before, so going on it was amazing for me. Sometimes, it doesn’t feel real that I’m in the NBA. I walk in the locker room and I see Joel Embiid’s locker or Paul George’s locker. It’s so crazy to me. But it’s obviously really fun getting to see them up close and learn from them. It will probably feel real when I’m in the locker room and putting on my Philadelphia 76ers jersey and getting ready for a regular-season game will be wild.
What are your expectations for Duke this season?
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
McCain: Oh yeah. I’m very excited to watch them. It’s so weird just being a fan now and not a player even though I was only there for a few months. But I’m really excited. The practices I’ve seen, they look good. I’m just super excited to watch them play this season. It’s basically like my second home. It’s not too far from Philly. Getting to know the other Duke players in the NBA when I was there, they would come back. Jayson Tatum would come play pickup with us. It’s so cool that there are so many Duke players in the NBA that I’m able to talk to and ask for advice.
Patrick Beverley gave you advice. What other advice have you received from pros?
(Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
McCain: A lot of stuff I’ve asked players, they say I need to continue to be myself. You don’t have to put on a show for anyone else. Always stay true to yourself. Have fun with it. That just reiterates what I always do for myself. I always try to have fun and joy on the court. So to have people who have been there and done that tell me that it’s exactly what I need to do gives me more confidence for sure.
Have you and Tyrese Maxey talked about bringing positivity to the backcourt?
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
McCain: We haven’t talked about that, specifically, but a lot of people have mentioned it to me throughout this facility being on the 76ers with him. It’s really cool to have someone positive like him who I can go to for any help and any advice I need. He has been through a situation like mine and he is someone who I am trying to emulate exactly, both with what he does and how he has done it.
What is something that inspires you about Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham?
McCain: Just watching somebody as young as he is dominate how he does, I always love that. He always does it with a smile on his face, too. The stuff he does off the pitch is really to see and something I’m trying to do as well. I love seeing young players thrive and have success early.
How have you liked your move to Philadelphia so far?
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
McCain: The city vibe is a little bit different. I haven’t had too much time to just explore yet but I’m excited to start doing that and see what Philly has to offer. I’ve tried some cheesesteaks. I’ve tried Angelo’s, which was really good. I tried a Chinese restaurant and I’ve probably already had it like five times. Once I get one place I like, I try to stick to it for a long time. I’m definitely willing to try some new things. I want to do more exploring.
If you could make a TikTok with anyone in the NBA, who would it be?
McCain: [Laughs] Probably Stephen Curry! It would be pretty cool to get Curry in a TikTok. Maybe I’ll see one day. I’d have to meet him and get to talk to him a little more about that.
You had a TikTok about journaling in Lyft cars. Do you actually do that?
McCain: It’s funny. Being in Philly, I’m not a big driver out there. It’s pretty easy being able to Lyft and journal in the car. I’m able to do that on the way back to my place or on the way to work. It’s my daily routine, which is journaling and meditation and breathing work and visualization. I also talk to a psychologist. I do all different types of things to help my mind and exercise my mind to get it in peak performance. I’ve said it many times: If my mental health is not right, I’m not going to play the best that I can. So I’m always trying to take care of my mental health, especially playing in the NBA. Everything you do is under a microscope.
Have you gotten recognized much around the city in a Lyft or otherwise?
McCain: That happens a bunch, actually. Especially when I’m going to the facility. It won’t say 76ers practice facility as a destination but it will say that once you get close. The drivers have sometimes said: “Wait, are you a player?” I’m like, uh, yeah. Then sometime they’ll know, like, exactly who I am. Then sometimes they’ll be like: “Oh my goodness!” and ask what number I am going to wear. It’s pretty funny when it happens but they’ve always been cool and it’s pretty easy and pretty nice.
Duke basketball freshman Cooper Flagg, the most anticipated first-year prospect in the country, had yet another highlight-reel practice dunk.
Duke basketball fans are never going to believe this, but [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag] dunked in practice again.
The Blue Devils posted another video on Thursday night of Flagg cutting through his teammates in a scrimmage, spinning away from fellow freshman Isaiah Evans before leaping up for a two-handed dunk.
Somehow, that play wasn’t Flagg’s first dunk in Cameron Indoor Stadium. During the team’s first day of on-court practice on Monday, Flagg jumped in front of a pass from Purdue transfer Mason Gillis and raced all the way back across the open court for an easy dunk.
The 6-foot-9 freshman is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NBA draft, and his athleticism is a major factor in his preseason expectations. According to MaxPreps, he averaged 1.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game as a high school senior during Montverde Academy’s undefeated season.
Those numbers support the eye test as Flagg looks like a scary combination of size, burst, and ball-handling skills.
College basketball reporter Andy Katz ranked the 10 best student sections on Tuesday, and it shouldn’t shock anyone who came in first.
College basketball fans won’t need to deal with the Cameron Crazies for another two months, but according to college basketball reporter Andy Katz, that might still be too soon.
Katz released his rankings of the 10 best student sections in the sport on Tuesday, and the Duke Blue Devils sat right at the top of the list.
Cameron Indoor Stadium might not match the capacity of some other names on the list. Purdue and Kansas sat second and third on Katz’s list, and both of those stadiums can seat more than 14,000 fans. Cameron Indoor can’t quite reach 10,000, but the building’s narrow design means Duke’s students sit nearly within arm’s reach of opposing players. Every Blue Devils fan has seen iconic photos of a North Carolina star inbounding a basketball with the Cameron Crazies stretching their arms out behind him, an intimacy that gives Duke an assured advantage.
Through two years of the [autotag]Jon Scheyer[/autotag] era, the Blue Devils are 31-3 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Duke Blue Devils shared a new photo of Cameron Indoor Stadium’s shiny new toy, a massive videoboard suspended over the court.
The shiniest new toy on Duke’s campus showed its face on Friday.
The Blue Devils shared a photo of Cameron Indoor Stadium’s new videoboard on social media, the massive black screens suspended above the iconic court.
Duke first announced the videoboard project back in April, just a few weeks after the end of the postseason. According to the school’s release about the project, the new board features more than 900 square feet of screens. That number is boosted by the ovular shape, opting for a wrap-around look instead of sharp corners.
