Duke Basketball's Winning Streak: Learning and Winning

Duke basketball extended its winning streak to nine games with a narrow 67-66 victory over No. 15 Florida on December 2, 2025, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. This win marks the first time since the 2017-2018 season that Duke has achieved a nine-game start.

Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized the importance of mental toughness and learning through winning after the Blue Devils faced narrow defeats last season against Kentucky and Kansas, and a heartbreaking loss to Houston in the Final Four.

In the recent game, Duke faced a double-digit deficit in the first half but executed crucial plays down the stretch. Isaiah Evans delivered a pivotal three-pointer with just 19.7 seconds left, regaining the lead for Duke.

Caleb Foster and Cam Boozer played key roles in blocking Florida's Boogie Flands, leading to a turnover that allowed Duke to secure the win. The Blue Devils have already notched significant victories this season, including a 78-66 win over No. 21 Kansas and an 80-71 win over No. 24 Arkansas.

Scheyer has designed a challenging schedule to prepare his team for the NCAA tournament, aiming to instill humility and resilience in his players. The next test for Duke will be against No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in a highly anticipated top-10 clash.

As the team looks to build on their success, the emphasis remains on making smart decisions in high-pressure situations, which has been a hallmark of their play this season. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, this blend of winning and learning positions Duke favorably for both the ACC and NCAA tournaments as they continue to grow under Scheyer's leadership.