Duke men’s basketball nonconference schedule now features six NCAA tourney teams
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Duke scheduled Michigan for Duel in the District on Feb. 21 in Washington, D.C.
- Brotherhood Run returns Nov. 21–23 with alumni-led Niagara and Howard programs.
- 2025–26 schedule includes nine games, six against recent NCAA Tournament teams.
The Duke men’s basketball team announced three more opponents for the 2025-26 season on Monday and Tuesday, welcoming familiar faces and scheduling a game in Washington, D.C.
The reigning ACC champions will face off against Michigan, the reigning Big Ten champs, on Feb. 21 in the Duel in the District game at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. It’s the 31st meeting between the two programs — a series in which Duke leads, 22-8.
The Wolverines finished the 2024-25 season with a 27-10 record after winning the Big Ten Tournament and making a run to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen.
February’s game will mark the first meeting between the teams since Dec. 3, 2013, when the Blue Devils won, 79-69, at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of that season’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The time of this year’s contest and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
Next season will also feature the second-annual Brotherhood Run, an event where the Blue Devils host games involving teams led by Duke basketball alumni. After playing Bobby Hurley’s Arizona State team in an exhibition last October, this season’s event with bring Niagara and Howard to Cameron Indoor Stadium from Nov. 21-23 for regular-season play.
“It’s a powerful way for our team to connect with the deeper meaning of wearing a Duke uniform,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said in a statement. “Expanding the event gives us a great opportunity to grow that connection.”
The Blue Devils will square off against Niagara on Nov. 21. The Purple Eagles are led by Scheyer’s former teammate, Greg Paulus, who competed at Duke from 2005-09. Paulus finished his career as a Blue Devil in the top-10 all-time in assists with 468.
On Nov. 23, Duke will face Kenneth Blakeney’s Howard Bison. Blakeney played at Duke from 1991-95, helping the Blue Devils to a 99-34 record. He was a redshirt member of Duke’s 1991 national championship team, a contributor to the 1992 championship team and served as team captain in the 1994-95 season.
Niagara and Howard will compete on Nov. 22. Times for the Brotherhood Run are yet to be announced.
These non-conference and exhibition games mark the ninth match-ups the program has announced for the 2025-26 season. The schedule now features six teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season: Michigan, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Florida and Michigan State — four of which advanced to the Sweet 16 and two reaching the Elite Eight.
The Duel in the District is the fourth neutral site competition the program has announced. Duke opens the season Nov. 4 against Texas at Charlotte, while also playing Kansas on Nov. 18 at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Arkansas on Nov. 27 at the Chicago’s United Center.
The Blue Devils have finalized road games at Army on Nov. 11 and Michigan State on Dec. 6.