Here’s a bold statement: In the high-stakes world of college basketball, where every point and highlight reel matters, Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer is flipping the script with a mantra that’s as unconventional as it is effective—the ‘98 percent’ rule. But here’s where it gets controversial: while most coaches preach giving 100 percent, Scheyer argues that it’s the other 98 percent—the plays without the ball—that truly define a championship team. Intrigued? Let’s dive in.
In Durham, anyone stepping into Duke’s basketball program under Scheyer’s leadership is quickly immersed in this philosophy. It’s not about the flashy 3-pointers or slam dunks that make ESPN’s top plays. Instead, it’s about the gritty, often unnoticed efforts: rebounding, defensive positioning, and the next-play mentality. As Scheyer puts it, ‘The best teams I’ve been a part of, as both a player and a coach, are the ones that master the 98 percent.’
And this is the part most people miss: The ball is only in a player’s hands for about 2 percent of the game—unless you’re a point guard. Sure, a player might score 30 points and become the hero of the night, but more often than not, games are won or lost in the details. It’s the loose balls recovered, the deflections, and the defensive awareness that make the difference.
Take last year’s Blue Devils, for example. Led by the nation’s top freshman, Cooper Flagg, they were as talented as any team in the country. But what set them apart was their commitment to Scheyer’s 98 percent mantra. Diving for loose balls, securing key deflections, and maintaining defensive discipline were the hallmarks of their success. ‘That’s a big adjustment for guys coming out of high school,’ Scheyer notes. ‘In high school, it’s all about how much you handle the ball. But in college and the NBA, low usage players—those who excel without the ball—are in high demand.’
This season, Duke’s roster is a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans like junior Caleb Foster and senior Maliq Brown, alongside highly touted recruits such as the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, and freshman Dame Sarr from Italy. Ranked No. 6 in the AP preseason poll, this team is poised to make waves. But as Brown points out, ‘The freshmen know what the standard is at Duke.’
Foster emphasizes the importance of ‘not letting the 98 percent slip,’ especially when the margin for error in college basketball is razor-thin for championship contenders. He leads by example, crashing the boards, playing tenacious defense, and mastering the details. ‘To win at the highest levels, you have to master the small things,’ Foster says.
One player to watch is Isaiah ‘Slim’ Evans, a 6-foot-6 sophomore with a lethal 3-point shot. Last season, he shot 41.6% from beyond the arc, including a standout performance against Auburn where he scored 18 points in the first half. But Scheyer is quick to point out that Evans’s development goes beyond scoring. ‘His defense, off-the-ball activity, and rebounding are crucial,’ Scheyer explains. ‘We want him to enhance his game, not just rely on his shooting.’
Here’s a thought-provoking question: In a sport where individual highlights often steal the spotlight, is Scheyer’s focus on the 98 percent a revolutionary approach or a return to the fundamentals that have always defined winning teams? Let us know in the comments.
As Duke prepares for exhibition games against Central Florida and Tennessee before opening the 2025-26 season against Texas, the goal is clear: return to the Final Four. Last year’s semifinal loss to Houston still stings, and it’s fueling the team’s drive to make amends. ‘The holy grail of college basketball is the Final Four,’ Scheyer says. ‘There’s no middle ground—it’s either glory or heartbreak. Last year was heartbreak, but we’re determined to get back and maximize our opportunities.’
With the 2026 Final Four set for Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Scheyer’s philosophy is simple: keep putting yourself in position, and eventually, success will follow. ‘If you keep showing up,’ he says, ‘it’s only a matter of time.’
So, as the Blue Devils gear up for another season, the question remains: Can the 98 percent mantra lead them back to the pinnacle of college basketball? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—this team is built to win, one detail at a time.
