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Bill Self claims this year's Duke team played better than last year's Duke team in November

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs11/20/25grant_grubbs_

After reaching the Final Four in April, Duke looks dangerous again this season. Kansas head coach Bill Self can confirm this fact. After the Jayhawks’ 78-66 loss to the Blue Devils on Tuesday, Self compared Duke’s team to last year.

“I thought Duke’s potential last year, when we played them, was exactly what they ended up playing to,” Self said. “I actually thought this year’s Duke team was playing better than last year’s Duke team in early November.

“I’m not sure they did tonight. But, I actually thought their execution, ball movement and all that stuff was better this time this year than it was last year at this time. But, the talent was undeniable that they had last year.”

That’s high praise for this year’s Blue Devils. Five players on Duke’s team last year were drafted after the season. Three of them were top-10 picks. Duke freshman and Naismith Player of the Year Cooper Flagg was the No. 1 overall pick.

If Duke is even nearly as good as it was last year, Blue Devils fans are in for a fun season. Duke certainly delivered fans some high-level entertainment in its win over Kansas on Tuesday.

In the victory, star freshman Cameron Boozer was particularly excellent, tallying team-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds, along with five assists. Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans didn’t trail far behind. He added 16 points and four boards to the Blue Devils’ winning effort.

With the victory, Duke improved to 5-0 on the season. The Blue Devils also have a win over Texas this season. Head coach Jon Scheyer‘s squad will only be tested further as the season progresses.

Starting with a showdown against Arkansas on Thanksgiving, Duke has three consecutive matchups against currently-ranked teams. After a game against Lipscomb, the Blue Devils dive right back into the fire with a meeting against Texas Tech.

The Blue Devils should be battle-hardened by March Madness. Scheyer is excited to see what his team can become.

“It feels like it’s been a full season, in a way, just the moments we’ve been in,” Scheyer said. “I think they’ve shown great toughness, you know, in great poise. And those aren’t easy situations to be in, especially if it’s your first time in the Garden, like some of these guys, or if it’s your second or third. You need to show great poise and togetherness.”