The Duke men’s basketball program did not hold back after Jon Scheyer was passed over for the ACC Coach of the Year award, despite leading the Blue Devils to an outstanding 28-3 regular season record, a dominant 19-1 mark in ACC play, and a No. 1 AP ranking heading into the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the honor went to Louisville’s first-year head coach, Pat Kelsey, sparking widespread debate among fans and analysts.
Duke’s Social Media Reaction
Taking to social media, Duke’s official basketball X account (formerly Twitter) pointed out a long-standing pattern of ACC voting snubbing Duke coaches, referencing Mike Krzyzewski’s similar history of being overlooked.
“Haven’t seen a coach snubbed for ACC COTY like this since Coach K didn’t win it once over his final 22 seasons, which included 3 national titles, 10 ACC Tourney titles, 5 ACC RS (regular season) titles, and 11 30-win seasons,” the post read.
The message highlighted how Duke’s sustained excellence has often been taken for granted in award voting.
Scheyer’s Dominant Season
The argument for Scheyer was backed by Duke’s historic season, in which the team:
- Won 10 ACC games by 25+ points, an unprecedented feat.
- Finished with a +434 point differential in conference play, the highest by any power conference team in 70 years.
- Achieved an adjusted offensive rating of 129.1, the best in the ACC in 30 years.
With a mix of top recruits, experienced veterans, and key transfers, Scheyer’s coaching played a pivotal role in establishing Duke as one of the nation’s top contenders.
Pat Kelsey’s Case for the Award
While Scheyer’s dominance made him a prime candidate, Louisville’s Pat Kelsey earned recognition for his remarkable turnaround of the program. Taking over a team that had struggled for years, Kelsey led Louisville to a 25-6 record and secured their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019. His ability to quickly rebuild and restore Louisville’s relevance in the ACC made him a compelling choice for voters.
Did the ACC Get It Wrong?
While Kelsey’s success is undeniable, many argue that Scheyer’s historic season deserved greater recognition. However, awards are subjective, and the true test of coaching greatness will be determined in March, where Scheyer still has a chance to lead Duke to a national championship—a prize far more significant than any individual accolade.
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