The Duke Blue Devils are preparing for an exciting start to their 2025-26 basketball season under head coach Jon Scheyer. As part of their non-conference schedule, Duke will host the Western Carolina Catamounts at Cameron Indoor Stadium on either Friday, November 7, or Saturday, November 8. This marks a return to in-state competition for the Blue Devils, who aim to extend their impressive 17-game home winning streak carried over from last season.
Duke enters the new season with high expectations following their 35-win campaign and Final Four appearance in 2024-25. The team features a star-studded roster, including top recruits Cayden Boozer and Cameron Boozer, along with five-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Shelton Henderson. These additions are expected to bolster Duke’s lineup as they aim for dominance in the Atlantic Coast Conference and another deep NCAA Tournament run.
For Western Carolina, this matchup presents a significant challenge. The Catamounts struggled during the 2024-25 season, finishing with an overall record of 8-22 and ranking ninth in the Southern Conference (SoCon). Under first-year head coach Tim Craft, the Catamounts are undergoing a rebuilding phase after losing key players from their previous roster. Bernard Pelote, who averaged 14 points and seven rebounds last season, leads a rotation filled with newcomers.
Historically, Duke has dominated Western Carolina in their three previous meetings, all held at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the mid-1990s. The Blue Devils secured victories by margins of 20 points in 1993, 40 points in 1995, and an impressive 50 points in 1996. This upcoming game will be their first encounter since then.
This matchup is part of Duke’s strategy to fine-tune their team early in the season while providing opportunities for younger players to gain experience. For Western Carolina, it offers a chance to test themselves against one of college basketball’s elite programs and measure progress under Craft’s leadership.
With Cameron Indoor Stadium’s electric atmosphere and Duke’s talented roster taking center stage, fans can expect an exciting game that sets the tone for the Blue Devils’ season. Meanwhile, Western Carolina will look to make the most of this opportunity as they continue building toward future success.
