Duke basketball: Jon Scheyer’s strange response after sophomore does not play

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer had a strange response after Monday’s game. 

Monday night was supposed to bring joy and happiness that the Duke basketball team was back on the floor for its season opener against Dartmouth but it was quickly hit with the disappointment that sophomore forward Mark Mitchell would not play.

Mitchell was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and is considered “day-to-day”.

While the key returning forward was not needed in the 92-54 victory, yet he will be quickly going forward, it was another sophomore that did not play against the Big Green that is making headlines, Jaden Schutt.

Schutt, a 4-star recruit known for his shooting prowess, seldom played during his freshman season and despite Duke having another deep and talented backcourt this year, was expected to see minutes — specifically in the second half of a 40-point blowout.

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The 6-foot-4 guard only saw 12 minutes in Duke’s exhibition game against UNC Pembrook, although he was 2-for-5 from 3-point range, and it raised some questions as to what his role would be on the team as Monday’s absence only heightened those concerns.

Mark Mitchell and walk-on Stanley Borden, who had been dealing with an injury in the preseason, were the only other players who did not see the court in the win.

Duke basketball head coach discusses absence of former 4-star recruit

Jon Scheyer, when asked about why Jaden Schutt did not play, ruled out any potential injury or illness.

“Jaden is okay,” the second year Duke head coach said in his postgame press conference.

“He has a long journey ahead of him. I love Jaden, and I’m going to keep [the reason he did not play] private for now.”

Schutt averaged 2.1 points per contest in 14 games played as a freshman.

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“He’s in great standing with me, nothing wrong at all,” Scheyer continued. “Me and him have had some conversations and we are going to continue to do the best thing for him.”

No. 2 Duke (1-0) battles No. 12 Arizona (1-0) in Durham on Friday, November 10 (7:00p.m. ET, ESPN2).

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