"Can't just be him": Jon Scheyer admits Cooper Flagg overuse issue in Kansas and Kentucky losses after pulling off Auburn upset

After a gut-wrenching 75-72 loss to Kansas on Nov. 26, the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils have since won two straight. Their Dec. 4 84-78 upset win over the No. 2 Auburn Tigers was a great display of the team's true strength, and they are now 6-2 on the year.

With their only losses of the 2024-25 campaign coming at the hands of Kansas and Kentucky, Scheyer has adjusted by giving freshman Isaiah Evans and sophomore Caleb Foster more run. This has resulted in recent triumphs. In the postgame news conference following Wednesday's win, Scheyer reflected on taking the burden off star player Cooper Flagg.

"We put enough on him (Cooper Flagg) in the 37 minutes and it can't just be him," Scheyer stated.

"For me, coaching this team, I think maybe we got a little stagnant in the end of those games (losses). We have other really good players too," he expressed. (0:06)

Scheyer said he still wanted to make the most of a talent like Flagg—who is likely a one-and-done for the 2025 NBA Draft.

"You wanna get movement. But, look, at the end of the day you still want Cooper to touch it cause Cooper's gonna find the right guy."

As guys like Evans, who put up 18 points off the bench, and Foster continue their ascension, Scheyer won't have anything to worry about when it comes to how deep his roster is.

Scheyer explains how Duke will find balance between stars and role players

Scheyer further disussed Flagg's usage rate being an integral part of their offense, Scheyer did shed some light on how he plans on utilizing his other players.

"We spend a lot of time on game situations too. So, knowing what we're gonna to where it's not just calling something random. Being in those moments is helpful, but also getting some movement and then getting into our action and Cooper touching it. I think that's the balance we have to strike."

Conference play will start soon and if Scheyer wants to make a deep run in the ACC and beyond, he'll need to know how to take advantage of all his players. The Blue Devils will face the Louisville Cardinals next on Sunday, Dec. 8.