Roster construction is the single most important aspect of cultivating a successful college basketball program. It’s a process that demands careful planning, attention to detail, money and some luck.

Building a strong team goes beyond simply acquiring and retaining talented basketball players. The approach is more holistic. It's about finding the right pieces that complement each other. It's also about fostering a culture and establishing a system where each player can thrive individually, while contributing to the overall success of the team.

Duke has the necessary infrastructure to build a sustainable winner and contend for titles. That doesn’t mean things run automatically, though. It’s a process that demands collective effort, with individuals from disparate regions of the globe coming together in one place to work toward a common goal. Having all the resources in the world, like Duke, means little if things aren't strategically organized and executed with a purpose.

In many ways, Duke is different this season, especially on offense, and it’s not just because of the arrival of Cooper Flagg, although his presence certainly carries significant weight. With just two scholarship players returning for the 2024-25 season, Jon Scheyer and his staff reprogramed their half-court offense.

Time is a limited resource, but Duke maximized its offseason. The Blue Devils brought in an outstanding, additive transfer class, featuring three players who can all defend multiple positions and make good decisions with the ball. As the roster turned over, Duke made key adjustments to its offense. This is substantiated by both the numbers and film.

Deep in the archives

Through the first 30 games of the season, 45.5 percent of Duke’s field goal attempts have come from beyond the arc. This number ranks just outside the Top 50 nationally in terms of 3-point attempt rate and marks a sharp increase over the first two seasons under Scheyer:

• 2022-23 season: 35.3 percent 3-point attempt rate (No. 250)

• 2023-24 season: 37.5 percent 3-point attempt rate (No. 181)

• 2024-25 season: 45.5 percent 3-point attempt rate (No. 52)

Although the regular season isn’t over, the eight percent increase in 3-point attempt rate from last season to this year is the third-largest jump among the 18 ACC teams. The only two teams with a bigger increase also underwent coaching changes last offseason: Louisville (+17%) and Virginia (+10.7%).

Since the start of the KenPom statistical era in the 1996-97 season, Duke has finished a season with a 3-point attempt rate above 40 percent on only once, though there were several occasions when the Blue Devils finished just under that benchmark: 41.8 percent in 2000-01 season, which ranked 11th nationally. This season, Duke is poised to finish well above that previous high.

Four players in Duke’s rotation have at least 57 percent of their field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc: Isaiah Evans (82.1 percent), Mason Gillis (78.4 percent), Tyrese Proctor (59.5 percent) and Kon Knueppel (57.6 percent). All four of those guys are also launching over 11 3-point attempts per 100 possessions.

Currently, there are 17 ACC players this season with 10+ 3-point attempts per 100 possessions who are also shooting above 35.0 percent from deep. Duke accounts for four players on that list. Clemson is responsible for two: Chase Hunter and Jake Heidbreder. Those are the only two ACC programs with multiple players hitting those benchmarks.

So far this season, Duke is 313-of-814 on 3-point attempts (38.5 3P%). The 313 3-pointers are already fourth most in a season in program history. This year’s team will likely climb to No. 3 on that list during the first half of its opening round ACC Tournament game.

• 407 3PM — 2000-01 season

• 328 3PM — 2015-16 season

• 316 3PM — 2013-14 season

• 313 3PM — 2024-25 season*

• 311 3PM — 2016-17 season

With 814 three-point attempts so far, this roster has already surpassed the total from Scheyer’s first two full seasons, despite not yet completing the regular season. They attempted 730 threes in 2022-23 and 791 in 2023-24.

By the time the conference tournament starts, the 2024-25 Blue Devils will more than likely rank Top 5 in program history for total 3-point attempts in a season. Depending on how the postseason shakes out, this could become just the second team in program history to exceed 1,000 3-point attempts in a single season.

• 1,057 3PA — 2000-01 season

• 903 3PA — 2018-19 season

• 851 3PA — 2015-16 season

• 841 3PA — 2021-22 season

• 830 3PA — 2001-02 season

This is all just statistical context, though. The more interesting parts of Duke’s offensive evolution are the How and the Why.

Change over time

During the 2022-23 season, Duke did a lot of different stuff on offense; however, when the Blue Devils needed a play, they often turned to empty-side two-man action with Jeremy Roach and Kyle Filipowski.

According to CBB Analytics, 33.3 percent of Duke’s field goal attempts in the 2022-23 season came at the rim. Mixed with their 3-point attempt rate of 35.5 percent, and 68.8 percent of Duke’s total field goal attempts were either at the rim or from beyond the arc — the two money areas on the floor. Duke also assisted on 56.2 percent of its field goals, which ranked just outside the Top 50 nationally.

Here’s that team’s shot chart, per CBB Analytics.

The Roach-Flip option continued to be a bread-and-butter play for Duke in the 2023-24 campaign, though the scheme shifted to more 5-out offense, with Jared McCain orbiting around the high-post playmaking of Filipowski.

Duke ended the season with 69.4% of its field goal attempts coming either at the rim or from beyond the arc, per CBB Analytics. The Blue Devils assisted on 54.9 percent of their field goals, a Top 80 number in the country.

To be clear, none of these numbers are bad — in fact, they’re quite good. There’s a reason Duke finished last season ranked in the Top 10 nationally for adjusted offensive efficiency. But here’s where a year makes a difference. Take a look at the changes in the shot charts and notice how the team’s effective field goal percentage (eFG%) goes up each season.

Duke has cut down significantly on its volume of midrange field goal attempts. The reduction jumps off the screen. According to CBB Analytics, 77.7 percent of the team’s field goal attempts are either at the rim or from beyond the arc.

This increase is largely due to the team’s higher 3-point volume, including more attempts from the corners. While the corner 3 isn’t valued the same way it is in the NBA because of the different court geometry, it highlights the team’s improved spacing (with shooters occupying the corners) and the type of shots Duke is creating more often — namely, kick-out 3-pointers.

Duke’s frequency at the rim (32.3 percent) is mostly flat when compared to previous seasons. However, Duke is shooting a better clip at the rim, while also dunking the ball with more frequency, according to Bart Torvik’s shot data. Better talent, better spacing and a more efficient offense.

• Rim FG% 2024-25: 66.9 FG%, 131 dunks

• Rim FG% 2023-24: 65.9 FG%, 102 dunks

• Rim FG% 2022-23: 64.5 FG%, 109 dunks

Obviously, this kind of change doesn’t happen on accident. It’s purposeful.

In the preseason, Duke publicly revealed how it revamped its offense for the first time. Two key takeaways from those first two games were the shift in the team’s 5-out offense, which spaced the floor differently around Flagg, and the use of off-ball actions to create scoring opportunities with Kon Knueppel.

As the season has unfolded, it’s been fascinating to watch how these two themes have evolved and intersected, incorporating elements from past eras of Duke basketball.

Down but certainly not out

For years now — under both Mike Krzyzewki and Scheyer — one of Duke’s go-to half-court staples has been it’s “Thumbs Down” or “Down” action. It’s a very basic set, which starts with one of the bigs setting a down screen for a shooter cutting out of the corner.

During the 2021-22 season, as Wendell Moore Jr. brings the ball up the floor, Paolo Banchero signals in the action by making the Thumbs Down gesture with his left hand.

As Duke starts the play, Banchero drifts to the left side of the floor and sets a pindown screen for AJ Griffin. Roach spaces to the far corner, while Mark Williams, the 5, hangs near the rim.

With his defender trailing under the down screen, Griffin doesn't curl. Instead, he comes off the screen flat, catches the pass from Moore and drives toward the baseline to score in the paint.

Given the tremendous off-ball gravity of Griffin and Banchero’s power as a mid-post scoring hub, those two worked well together. It’s the same thing against Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament — with Roach initiating and Moore spaced to the right corner. Banchero sets the pindown on Max Christie (5). Griffin curls, draws a help defender and hits Williams in the weak-side dunker spot for an easy slam on the drop-off pass.

Here’s the same “Down” action for Cam Reddish during a 2019 game against North Carolina. Jack White, the 4, sets the down screen for Reddish. Javin DeLaurier waits in the weak-side dunker spot.

Brandon Robinson (4) trails from behind, allowing Reddish to curl around the down screen set by White. Reddish then sinks a catch-and-shoot midrange jumper near the left elbow, as Coby White (2) helps off Tre Jones at the nail.

From earlier in the 2018-19 season, Duke goes to work with the same action from the opposite side of the floor. The change in location allows RJ Barrett, a southpaw, to curl the down screen from Zion Williamson (the 4) to his dominant left hand. In the end, Barrett spins back right and scores at the rim.

Once again, it’s a signature set designed for one of the team’s primary guard/wing shooters or slashers. After the catch, the guard has the option to either shoot or drive the ball downhill, much like Barrett.

The Blue Devils frequently ran this action for Cassius Stanley in the 2019-20 season, too. Although on this possession, Vernon Carey Jr. is lifted out towards the arc instead of being down in the dunker spot.

Now, it’s important to consider Duke’s alignment, spacing and catch point on this play. In most cases, the down screen is set by the 4 (Banchero) while the 5 (Williams) hangs in the paint.

When Scheyer took over ahead of the 2022-23 season, he kept this action along with the same spacing template.

In Portland, facing off against Purdue, Proctor initiates the play while Filipowski (the 4) sets a down screen for Roach, who cuts out of the corner. Dereck Lively positions himself in the dunker spot, and Mark Mitchell spaces to the left corner.

Roach curls Flip’s screen as future Blue Devil Mason Gillis (0) hedges out in his direction. With a quick escape dribble, Roach creates a little separation and gets to his patented elbow jumper.

On all of these plays, notice where the initial catch takes place for the player coming off of the screen: it’s inside the arc but outside the paint.

Roach is an excellent midrange scorer, and ultimately, this simple action is designed to get the offense flowing with the ball in the hands of a playmaker. However, it’s not the most efficient shot. It’s a contested, off-dribble long 2. With Flip rolling to the rim and Lively positioned in the dunker spot, Purdue is also able to clog the paint, leaving Roach with limited passing options.

For the 2024-25 season, though, Scheyer has taken this classic action and tweaked it to fit into the team’s new spacing profile and scheme. One of the primary ways that Duke’s offense has oriented around Flagg is by shifting him into an initiator role in various 5-out sets — with, importantly, the 5 spaced to the wing, instead of the dunker spot.

It’s essentially the same action — a down screen for a shooter coming out of the corner — but the spacing looks and works different now. Instead of having the 4 set the screen, Flagg initiates the play, with the 5 taking on the screener role. The two biggest defenders are now positioned above the foul line. By moving the 5 away from the rim and using him as the screener, it pulls the opposition's rim protection out of the restricted area and forces the defender to navigate through the screening action.

FSU switches 1-5, which means 6-foot-11 freshman center Christian Nitu is tasked with switching the pindown from Khaman Maluach. Duke, of course, is ready for this: Knueppel fades the screen. Flagg reads it and throws Knueppel open, aiming his pass deeper into the left corner and helping create extra separation.

This is something I asked Scheyer about after the first preseason game last October. The primary goal of spacing Maluach to the wing was to help open the rim up for Flagg, operating in the middle of the floor. Scheyer also mentioned that he liked the type of off-ball options it opened up for his offense. That’s exactly what we’re seeing here.

Seeing Flagg used like this — similar to how the Boston Celtics run offense through big wing creators like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, with their 5 often spaced to the wing — is reminder of what’s on the horizon. Each of these possessions offer up a vision of Flagg’s not-so-distant future.

Flagg is often the primary initiator in these sets, but Duke’s personnel is versatile, particularly among positions 1 through 4. This flexibility allows the Blue Devils to rearrange their pieces on the chessboard in a variety of ways.

Here at Wake Forest, Flagg begins in the left corner, while Caleb Foster and Sion James start the set. As Foster passes off to James, Patrick Ngongba moves down from the left wing to set the down screen for Flagg, who curls tightly and gets to a pull-up jumper at the elbow.

According to CBB Analytics, 61.1 percent of Flagg’s field goal attempts this season have been at the rim or a 3-pointer, meaning that nearly 39 percent of his field goal attempts are 2-point attempts from outside the restricted area. Flagg is the only player in Duke’s extended rotation who has a combined 3-point and rim field goal attempt frequency under 70 percent. The vast majority of the rotation is above 75 percent.

Mason Gillis isn’t the same playmaker as Flagg, but he’s a veteran who can shoot and take care of the ball (11.8% TOV rate). Nearly 93 percent of Gillis’ field goal attempts this season are either 3-pointers or at the rim, per CBB Analytics. He’s done well facilitating in this role this season, too.

On this possession, Ngongba is the 5 spaced to the left wing. Ngongba sets the down screen for Evans, who lifts from the left corner. Wake Forest does a poor job matching up, plus center Efton Reid (4) never leaves the paint. As a result, it’s an open catch-and-shoot 3 for Evans, assisted by Gillis.

Pressure Point

When an offense goes 5-out, the goal isn't simply to fire up 3-pointers. The 3-point threat is just one tool in the arsenal. It’s crucial to use that spacing to attack downhill, taking advantage of a defense with weak-side defenders pulled away from the paint. Moreover, this 5-out pindown action is an excellent way to create slashing opportunities against a defense that's been stretched out.

As Maliq Brown sets the pindown, look how much space Evans has as he exits and curls downhill. With one dribble, he’s at the front of the rim for an and-one layup, assisted again by Gillis.

Knueppel and Proctor are both exceptional off-ball movers. Not only are they effective scorers on the move, but they’re also skilled passers in these situations. Each of them draws attention when coming off a screen, and as the defense focuses on preventing a clean look for either player, it opens up opportunities elsewhere on the floor.

This has been one of the ways the Blue Devils have opened up rim runs for Maluach: 5-out empty-side pindowns.

On this play against Wofford, Knueppel curls into the teeth of the defense, which forces the defensive center to help at the left elbow, leaving Maluach all alone on the dive.

This type of downhill action was more difficult for Duke to open up with its previous spacing alignment. Now with two shooters spaced to the weak side — one on the wing, the other tucked into the corner — it draws another potential help defender further from the hoop.

Alternatively, if a weak-side help defender is in the lane, it’s more likely to be a smaller guard defender — with the 5 handling the pindown action and the 4 pulled away from the paint guarding Flagg or Gillis. Those types of defenders aren’t going to be able to do much against Maluach if he’s rolling with a head of steam and strong with the basketball.

That’s what happens here against Arizona State. Maluach sets the 5-out down screen and Knueppel curls. As Jayden Quaintance (21) steps up to help, Duke has two defenders on the ball, and Knueppel hits Maluach on the dive. The 6-foot-5 Joson Sanon (3) peels off of Proctor in the right corner and (in theory) is there to help against Maluach. However, Sanon doesn’t have the size to contest the 7-foot-2 Maluach.

Now it’s Proctor’s turn against Army to work the empty-side action with Maluach. Proctor curls right, pulls in a second defender and lobs it back to the big fella on the rim run.

As Maluach comes alive as another threat attacking the rim, it creates uncertainty for the defensive center: when and where should they provide help? It’s challenging to take away every option and there isn’t much time to weigh the different options. These decisions become even more complicated when the chase defender fights over the top of the screen, potentially creating 2-on-1 opportunities for Duke in the half court.

For example: Knueppel curls off this down screen from Maluach and gets to the middle of the floor. Once more, Knueppel gets two defenders on the ball, pulling Reid away, which leaves Maluach open on the dive. This is an automatic read for Knueppel: lob it up to Maluach.

One minute later, it’s the same setup — now with Flagg initiating. Maluach sets the empty-side pindown for Knueppel, who again curls into the paint. This time, as Cam Hildreth (6) fights over the top of Maluach, Reid — worried about Maluach on the dive — defends the action in drop coverage, sinking several feet below the level of the screen. Knueppel probes with his dribble, attacking the space provided by Reid’s drop, which causes Hunter Sallis (23) to help further off the weak-side corner.

Knueppel takes advantage of Sallis coming down to the paint and kicks out for an open corner 3-point attempt. Proctor misses the shot, but it’s a great look as a result of good process: an uncontested catch-and-shoot 3-pointer for an awesome shooter off of a paint touch.

Eventually, Duke, as it did all game, makes Wake Forest pay on the offensive glass. Proctor is able to return the favor and hit Knueppel for an open 3-pointer on the wing.

This is also a tough action to defend with a drop coverage. It gives players like Knueppel and Proctor the time and space to make a play. Additionally, it forces the defensive 5 to be in two places at once — helping to contain the player curling downhill off the screen while also needing to protect the rim against the 5 cutting to the basket.

Down at Miami, Scheyer calls in the action: a 5-out pindown for Proctor.

As Proctor curls Maluach’s down screen, Lynn Kidd (1), Miami’s center, is now tasked with navigating this middle ground in drop coverage — help on both the drive and the dive.

This is poor defense all around from Miami. Divine Ugochukwu (99) gets stuck on Maluach’s screen and immediately loses touch with Proctor. Meanwhile, Kidd (in drop coverage) stays too close to Maluach on the roll and it leaves Proctor with a straight-line drive to the basket. That’s too easy.

Progressions

The 5-out down screen can directly lead to offense or serve as a setup for various secondary actions. It can be a springboard for Duke’s pick-and-roll, staggered screens or empty-corner flare actions, among other things.

Step-up Screen

If the player coming off the screen doesn’t have a shot or the space to curl downhill, Duke will transition into an empty-side step-up screen from the 5. This essentially becomes a re-screen action, with the 5 setting the initial down screen before quickly following up with a flat step-up ball screen.

For example, after setting the pindown for Knueppel, Brown flips his hips and sets a ball screen on Koby Brea (4). To navigate the step-up screen, Brown’s shoulders are parallel to the baseline. By setting this screen flat, the ball handler, Knueppel, has the option to drive in either direction.

As Kentucky hedges this side ball screen, Knueppel is patient. He dribbles away from the initial pressure and gets back to his left hand, separating from Brea and hitting a pull-up jumper in the lane.

On the opposite side of the floor: here’s the same setup for Duke against Seattle. Flagg gets Duke into its offense and centers the ball to Proctor. Maluach sets the down screen for Knueppel. After the initial catch, Maluach immediately re-screens for Knueppel. Defending the pick-and-roll, Seattle hedges the ball screen; Maluach slips and gets downhill. While Maluach does bring the ball down to his waist, a risk with pesky guard defenders roaming around and looking for a swipe steal, there’s enough space in the paint that he’s able to spin off and still finish.

Stanford usually guards ball screens with center Maxime Raynaud in a deep drop. However, Duke’s guards burned Stanford’s defense so many times with drives and pull-up jumpers that it caused Raynaud to get a little antsy and start to creep off of his line. When that happened, it left the rim exposed for Proctor-Maluach empty-side pick-and-roll. Proctor gets two on the ball and it’s a lob to Maluach.

Defenses will, understandably, react to the dive from Maluach. When he pulls help defenders into the paint, it opens up the weak-side kick-out.

With UNC putting two defenders on the ball against Knueppel, Maluach rolls toward the middle. His rim run sucks in Ian Jackson (11) and leaves James open for the corner 3-pointer.

Circle

The Blue Devils will also use the 5-man spaced to the wing as a way to run staggered screens for a guard starting in the opposite corner. This is Duke’s “Circle” action: as Gillis initiates, Knueppel starts in the right corner, with Maluach on the left wing and Proctor in the left corner.

This is another way for Duke to integrate its trio of quick-trigger movement shooters: Knueppel, Proctor and Evans. Instead of Maluach setting the single down screen for Proctor, Duke will also turn Proctor into a screener for Knueppel.

Under the rim, Maine switches the guard-guard screen between Proctor and Knueppel. However, with a defender now on his top side, Knueppel is able to direct his new assignment into Maluach’s down screen and create separation for a catch-and-shoot opportunity.

Knueppel misses the shot, but Maluach grabs the offensive rebound and kicks out to an open Proctor for the second-chance 3-pointer.

Here’s the same play against Kentucky. The Wildcats opt to not switch the Proctor-Knueppel off-ball screen. Otega Oweh (00) is now tasked with chasing the freshman from Wisconsin around both screens. Oweh is a good defender and has does well to stay attached with Knueppel. Good offense beats good defense, though. Knueppel uses his size, gets into the paint and finishes with another midrange jumper.

It’s the same setup vs. Army. The Black Knights don’t switch the Proctor-Knueppel pindown, opting instead to have the initial defender chase Knueppel around both screens. With his defender electing to try and shoot the gap on the second screen from Maluach, Knueppel fades toward the corner. Once more, Gillis reads it and delivers the pass.

Over the course of the season, Evans has ascended into becoming one of the more dangerous off-ball movers in the country. Evans makes himself into an even tougher cover, though, with his willingness to set good screens for others, including designed actions with Knueppel.

During this possession against Cal, Duke runs more of its Circle action. Proctor initiates the play, Evans drifts from the left corner to the middle of the paint where he sets the first of two staggered screens for Knueppel, exiting the right corner.

Cal switches the off-ball screen between Evans and Knueppel. Now with a smaller defender on him, Knueppel can attack downhill off the second down screen from Maluach.

Similar to the Down action, the Blue Devils will flow into step-up ball screen action if the player cutting across the staggered screens doesn’t have an immediate catch-and-shoot opportunity.

After the down screen, Arizona bottles up the Proctor-Brown pick-and-roll action. Proctor recycles the ball back to Flagg up top, which triggers a weak-side exchange from James and Knueppel. As Flagg catches and scans right, James slithers to the lane on a 45-degree cut, while Knueppel lifts up the floor, bringing him into a passing window for Flagg.

Earlier in the possession, Arizona switched the first staggered screen for Proctor, which placed Caleb Love (2) on Knueppel. As the play evolves and Flagg switches sides of the floor with a ball rotation, this leaves Love — a notoriously poor closeout defender, going back to his time at UNC — in charge of handling Knueppel. Unsurprisingly, the result is a catch-and-go drive for Knueppel — right to the front of the rim.

Down Circle

Duke can also blend those two actions together — the pindown and the staggered screens — with its “Down Circle” action. On this play, Duke will begin things with the initial down screen and then follow behind with staggered screens for the player starting in the right corner.

Here’s Proctor signaling and calling the play in at SMU.

The play starts with Flagg cutting from the middle of the floor to the wing opposite of Maluach. From there, as Proctor dribbles left, the Blue Devils get their Down action with Foster cutting off a screen from Maluach. Evans spaces to the right corner. SMU center Samet Yigitoglu (24) is dropped into the middle of the lane.

Proctor passes to Foster on the left wing and immediately cuts toward him, essentially chasing his own pass. Foster fakes a handoff back to Proctor, who cuts around Maluach toward the paint, before passing the ball to Flagg in the middle of the floor.

Once Flagg has the ball, the light turns green for Evans; it’s time for Slim to get moving. Foster cuts through to the opposite wing and now the left side is cleared for Evans to run off the staggered down screens from Proctor and Maluach.

This play takes time to develop, but it’s the combination of Duke’s Down (5-out pindown) and Circle actions (5-out staggered screens), all orbiting around Flagg in the middle of the floor and Maluach spaced to the wing. With Yigitoglu in drop coverage, it’s all on Matt Cross (33) to hang with Evans, who creates space with a nice shot fake after coming off the staggered screens.

Evans misses the reset pull-up 2 — a rare midrange shot for him — but the process is good.

Here’s the same Down Circle action for Knueppel at Georgia Tech. Brown sets a good screen to help free Knueppel up, too.

Baye Ngongo (11), Georgia Tech’s center, is in drop, which leaves Lance Terry (0) tasked with chasing Knueppel around a flotsam of screening action.

Later in the game at Georgia Tech, Duke goes back to the same Down Circle action. In fact, Scheyer can be heard/seen signaling this play in from the sideline. Evans fades the screen from Ngongba and frees himself for another catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.

Of course, this action can open up some downhill driving lanes for Duke, too.

Here’s Down Circle against Pittsburgh. Proctor comes off the staggered screens set by James and Maluach, curling to the hoop for an easy layup. Cam Corhen (2), concerned about the lob, stays with Maluach, leaving the front of the rim wide open for Proctor.

On the possessions when Proctor curls hard and pulls in a second defender, he can look for the 5 diving to the hoop — again off that empty-side down screen action. Ngongba is the beneficiary on this possession against Miami. The help rotation is late and it’s a layup for Ngongba.

Finally, with all of that action taking place on the sides of the floor, the defense is stretched. Duke’s pulled the opposing center away from the rim and has other help defender spaced out and/or navigating screening actions. This can leave an opposing on-ball defender 1-on-1 in space against Flagg.

Instead of hitting Evans as he comes off the staggered screens, Flagg crosses over and gets by his defender, which pulls help defenders in his direction, leaving Maluach open for the lob.

Down Flare

In each of the last two seasons, Duke has been effective at using flare screens to create opportunities for its shooters. McCain played this role last year, and now it’s Evans, Proctor and Knueppel. One of Duke’s go-to flare actions also flows from the initial 5-out down screen, which serves as the foundation for big chunks of their playbook.

To start this 5-out possession at Boston College, Flagg will clear to the wing. Evans will lift out of the left corner and run off a down screen from Maluach. From there, James will pass to Evans and follow the ball out to the left wing. Similar to the Down Circle action, Evans will fake a handoff to James and center the ball back to Flagg in the middle of the floor.

With the BC defense spread out, Duke can attack the open space in the left corner as James cuts toward the lane. Instead of passing to Flagg and cutting to the opposite wing, Evans stunts in that direction before quickly shifting back to the left. Meanwhile, Maluach — instead of following James to set the staggered screens for Foster — lifts up and sets a crack-back flare screen for Evans’ defender.

The result is a wide-open 3-ball for Evans, who runs off Maluach’s flare screen and into open real estate. The bounce and fluidity on this dude’s jump shot is special.

Here’s the same thing at Miami. The Hurricanes try to switch the action, 1-5. As Maluach slips his flare screen, Kidd isn’t nearly close enough to Evans. Kidd tries to scramble out, but this is an easy pitch-and-catch opportunity, resulting in an open 3-pointer for Evans.

UIW attempts to switch the flare action between Evans and Maluach. However, Evans' unlimited shooting range, combined with his strength and lift on his jumper, proves too much to handle.

While this action has become the quintessential Isaiah Evans Play, Knueppel, Proctor and, in limited minutes, Darren Harris, are all recipients of it as well.

(I absolutely love how Maluach screens the SMU defender, Kario Oquendo — like he’s an offensive guard pulling along the line in football. That said, he’s probably fortunate to have not been whistled for an illegal screen.)

If the defensive 5 is in drop coverage, it leaves a lot of room in the corner for the shooter coming off the flare screen. However, if the center hugs too closely with Maluach, Brown or Ngongba, it can leave the paint exposed for a drive to the rim, which is what happens here at Louisville.

Duke can also build off of the initial flare screen by running “Ricky” action — a re-screen between the 5 and the off-ball mover.

After Knueppel comes off the flare screen from Maluach against Pittsburgh, he pivots and sprints back up the floor toward Gillis. Maluach also flips around and sets another down screen for Knueppel. As Maluach sets his third off-ball screen for Knueppel in the span of five seconds, two Pitt defenders leap out at the shooter. Maluach, unaccounted, slips to the rim and Gillis hits him in space for the dunk.

Now it’s Brown’s turn to run this Ricky action with Knueppel in the second half. Corhen stays with Brown on this possession, though, taking away the dive. However, with the smaller Jaland Lowe switched on him and Corhen sticking with Brown, Knueppel curls and gets right to the rim.

Floppy

Up to this point, Duke’s best win of the season was an 84-78 victory in a banger of a game against Auburn last December. Auburn gave up a season-high 1.34 points per possession against Duke, though it took time for the Blue Devils to settle in. After a shaky start, one of the defining moments was the performance of Evans, who came off the bench, drilled six 3-pointers in the first half and willed Duke back into the game.

Evans used a combined zero dribbles on all six of his 3-pointers against Auburn. All six of those bombs came off of the catch. Four of those makes came from Evans relocating around the perimeter in the half court or running the floor in transition. The other two came from Duke’s “Floppy” series. In 2025, though, Duke’s Floppy set looks different than years prior.

Floppy has been around basketball for decades. It’s been used for great Duke shooters like JJ Redick, Trajan Langdon and Luke Kennard, among others. The action can be adapted in several ways, but generally, it involves a player positioned under the basket who has the option to cut off a single screen to one side of the floor or a double screen on the other side. (This is why Floppy is also known as single-double action.)

From the 2019 NCAA Tournament vs. North Dakota State: Duke runs Floppy action for Barrett. As Jones initiates the half-court set, Duke comes out in a tight formation, with all four off-ball players bunched near the bottom of the lane. Williamson is set just off the left block while Marques Bolden is stationed near the right block. Barrett starts on the left side, just underneath Williamson. Reddish mirrors on the right side. This is the setup for Floppy.

As the possession starts, Barrett opts for the side of the double screens: Reddish and Bolden. After Reddish screens for Barrett, he clears to the left side off a screen from Zion. Barrett’s defender tries to cheat over the top of the double screens, so the lefty fades to the corner and drives it downhill after receiving the pass from Jones.

Same action from the same season. This time, though, Reddish races around and fades off the staggered screens to drill a 3-ball against Indiana. White and Bolden set the double.

On the first play of the game against Wofford in 2019, Duke comes out with Floppy action for Stanley, who runs off the double screens from Alex O’Connell and Carey.

Instead of running to the left side of the floor, AOC pops out to the right corner — behind another screen from Carey. (Under Coach K, this is something Duke would do a lot with Matthew Hurt, too.) White lifts to the middle and Duke has hi-lo action set up for its 4 and 5, with Carey ducking into the lane. Eventually, the ball works back to Stanley, who connects on a corner 3.

What’s old is new again for this version of motion offense, with a few tweaks. Not too long ago, Duke used a more traditional bunch formation to initiate Floppy. The traffic under the basket can confuse off-ball defenders, but the defense is more compact, making it easier to cover less ground — at least at the start of the possession.

Now, compare that to Duke’s shape and spacing when it runs Floppy out of its 5-out setup. Evans starts in the right corner as Flagg surveys up top. Foster locates to the wing while Maluach looks to set his customary down screen on the left side. Gillis, however, rejects the down screen from Maluach and cuts through the lane, working in the direction of Evans.

Keep in mind: this is an after-timeout play. This is Duke executing what was called in the most recent huddle. Gillis lifts his left hand as if he plans to set a screen for Evans. Slim now gets to work with the single-double screening action: Foster’s single down screen or the double from Gillis and Maluach on the left side.

Instead of screening for Evans, though, Gillis slips his screen and sprints toward the right wing, running off the down screen from Foster, while Evans kicks it into gear and sprints off the down screen from Maluach. The Blue Devils have two quality shooters simultaneously running off screens on opposite sides of the floor, while the best player in the country operates in the middle.

This setup forces Auburn to navigate multiple screening actions, defend different levels of the floor and account for Flagg with the ball. Evans shows off his special combination of length and footwork as he sprints off Maluach’s screen and seamlessly lets it fly from deep.

A few minutes later, it’s the same action, although now Knueppel and Proctor are subbed in for Flagg and Gillis. Knueppel operates in the middle. Proctor rejects Maluach’s down screen and cuts across the lane, slipping a potential exchange with Evans, which causes a breakdown in Auburn’s defense. Miles Kelly (13) starts on Evans but reads Proctor’s slip screen as a switch opportunity. JP Pegues (1) starts on Proctor, and because it’s a slip rather than a full screen, he thinks he should stick with his original assignment. This leads to two defenders following Proctor, leaving Evans unguarded. Look out below.

Plug in the crockpot. Due to the breakdown from the Tigers, Evans gets a clean look off the screen from Maluach. The result is an uncontested 3-pointer from the most confident man in the Research Triangle area.

During Duke’s recent blowout home win over Wake Forest, the Blue Devils went back to this action. Wake Forest’s chase defenders, Hildreth and Sallis, do a better job sticking with Duke’s off-ball movers: Knueppel and Proctor. Now, the play flips to its next progression: an elbow touch for Maluach. Flagg kicks the ball to Maluach and chases after his own pass, sprinting into a handoff with Duke’s center and shifting into pick-and-roll offense. Flagg drives and gets two defenders on the ball — Tre’Von Spillers (25) and Reid — while Maluach’s rim run pulls Juke Harris (2) off the weak-side corner.

This is Duke’s pick-and-roll offense doing what it does best: two on the ball against Flagg, a Maluach rim run pulling in a weak-side help defender and an open corner 3-point shooter. Basketball can be a simple game: get two on the ball and play out of it. It helps when Flagg’s the one at the controls, too.

Duke isn’t reinventing the wheel on offense, but Scheyer and his staff have done an excellent job blending fundamental basketball actions — down screens, staggered screens, step-up ball screens, Floppy — with modern, contemporary spacing components.

The concepts aren’t stilted or disjointed, though, nor is the offense robotic or frenzied. When Duke’s at full hum, there’s a flow as the actions bridge from one to the next, making the defense handle multiple rotations and ball reversals — with an emphasis on floor balance and making the extra pass.

Having playmakers like Flagg and Knueppel working in sync with a lob threat like Maluach, alongside a group of connective passers—Proctor, James, Gillis and Brown—certainly doesn’t hurt. Each of them is willing to pass up a good shot for themselves to set up an even better opportunity for a teammate.

For now, the results speak for themselves. The Blue Devils are on pace to finish with the program’s most efficient offense since the 1998-99 season, according to KenPom. The 1999 Duke team is notable here. It’s one of the ACC’s ultimate “What If” teams, a dominant force led by that year’s No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft (Elton Brand) that finished just shy of a national title.

It’s March. The competition and stakes are about to raise to another level from here on out for Duke: at UNC, the ACC Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament. Immortality in the form of a net clippings is on the other side. Can the Blue Devils push through?