Oh No! They Made A Likable Duke Basketball Team
For years, college basketball fans have been conditioned to view Duke University’s basketball team as the villain. Whether it was their celebrated head coach Mike Krzyzewski or the team’s consistent dominance, Duke became the epitome of a team you loved to hate. Their blue-and-white jerseys, their polished performances, and the parade of top recruits year after year made them the standard bearer of college basketball success—and often the target for fans who rooted for the underdogs.
But this year, something has changed. Duke basketball has suddenly become… likable. In fact, they’re downright fun to watch.
It’s not that the Blue Devils have become underdogs or embraced the role of a scrappy, feel-good team—they still have a ton of talent and are one of the premier programs in the country. Rather, it’s the combination of a young, charismatic roster and a departure from some of the classic “Duke villain” traits that have endeared them to fans beyond their typical base. This new version of Duke, despite the program’s historic power, feels more relatable and, dare we say, easy to root for.
First, let’s talk about the roster. Duke’s freshmen have been a revelation, and it’s hard to ignore how impressive they’ve been, particularly Tyrese Proctor and the high-flying Mark Mitchell. These young stars have brought an energy and excitement to the floor, playing with a flair that is hard not to appreciate. They don’t seem to have that “we’re better than you” aura that many Duke teams in the past projected. Instead, they’ve come in with a chip on their shoulder, eager to prove themselves and having fun while doing so. That raw enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s hard not to admire how hard these players are working for each victory.
Then there’s Jon Scheyer, the former Duke player turned head coach, who has shown that he’s more than just Coach K’s successor. Scheyer has embraced a more modern style of play, one that is less rigid and more about teamwork and sharing the ball. Under Scheyer, the Blue Devils have become a more exciting, free-flowing team to watch—one that still holds on to its competitive edge but is willing to play a more unselfish, inclusive brand of basketball. The emphasis on player development and the empowering of his players has helped smooth out the rougher edges that might have made Duke’s previous squads seem arrogant or entitled.
Beyond the players and coaches, there’s the shift in narrative. The days of Duke being the team that draws the ire of every fan outside their own fanbase are slowly fading away. College basketball fans who once had a visceral reaction to the sight of a Duke jersey now find themselves rooting for these players—not just because of their talent, but because they’re actually likable. It’s a strange phenomenon. They don’t come off as entitled or dismissive. They come across as humble, hungry, and hardworking—traits that are often associated with “small-market” teams, not perennial national powerhouses.
Even the Cameron Crazies, who have long been the most boisterous and intimidating student section in all of college basketball, seem to have softened a bit. Gone are the infamous taunts and antagonism. Instead, there’s a renewed sense of camaraderie and excitement—more about celebrating their team than bringing down the opponent. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s enough to make Duke feel less like a team you love to hate and more like a team you can get behind.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Duke has gone through a bit of a transformation. They’ve managed to stay competitive and retain their elite status in college basketball while adopting a more likable and relatable image. The combination of a youthful, exciting roster and a fresh coaching approach has made them a team fans across the country are starting to embrace, much to the chagrin of long-time Duke detractors. It’s a strange and unexpected turn, but it’s one that has, for better or worse, made Duke basketball fun again.
