Jon Scheyer has built arguably the most challenging non-conference schedule in college basketball next season. When the Michigan matchup fell apart, nobody would have blamed Scheyer for searching for a buy game as a replacement with a non-con that already featured Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, UConn, Gonzaga, and Georgia.
Instead, Scheyer replaced Michigan with Texas Tech, giving his Duke team a chance to avenge last season's loss to the Red Raiders in Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils will meet Texas Tech in New York City again, and the matchup just got more treacherous on Monday.
With the uncertainty around JT Toppin's recovery from injury, most experts have taken a wait-and-see approach with Grant McCasland's team despite his track record in Lubbock.
The recent court ruling in Colorado granting an extra season of eligibility for the outgoing senior class of 2022 has allowed McCasland to solidify his roster.
Less than two weeks ago, Texas Tech re-added Darrion Williams, who spent two seasons in Lubbock before transferring to play for Will Wade and NC State last season. He's taking advantage of the additional year of eligibility and rejoining the Red Raiders.
On Monday, McCasland got more positive news. Donovan Atwell, one of the best shooters in college basketball, will also be returning to Texas Tech for a fifth season of eligibility:
NEWS: Texas Tech sharpshooter Donovan Atwell is returning to Texas Tech for a fifth year of eligibility following the Colorado court ruling, he told @On3.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 18, 2026
The 6-5 senior averaged 13.5 points per game this past season, shooting nearly 46% from three. https://t.co/Ewf7i0tyxm pic.twitter.com/iM04o0REhs
Duke's matchup with Texas Tech will be more challenging with Donovan Atwell and Darrion Williams returning
With Atwell joining Hofstra transfer Cruz Davis, Texas Tech will have one of the most lethal backcourts in college basketball. Davis shot 40% from three-point range a season ago with the Pride, while averaging over 20 points and just under five assists per game.
Atwell shot 45.8% from three last season and has connected on 39.8% or higher from three-point range in each of the last three seasons.
Duke projects to have one of the best backcourts in the country with the returns of Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer from last season, and the additions of John Blackwell and Deron Rippey Jr. The Red Raiders will be a great litmus test in the non-conference for the Blue Devils' backcourt, and will greatly challenge them, particularly on the defensive end of the court with their ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots at a high clip.
Duke's matchup against Texas Tech will take place on December 21st in the final non-conference game before ACC play begins. Scheyer and his team will have plenty of motivation after the stunning loss at MSG last season, but McCasland continues to solidify his roster. The Red Raiders won't be a pushover by any means and will give Duke quite the test.
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