Duke’s basketball season begins in Durham, North Carolina on Nov. 6 against Dartmouth. They face a tough challenge against Arizona on Nov. 10, which features former North Carolina transfer Caleb Love.
Duke is currently ranked No. 3 in CBS Sports’ Top 25 and 1. The only teams ranked above Duke are Kansas and Purdue. The Blue Devils have high expectations for the season and have several key players returning, including Tyrese Proctor, Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell, and Kyle Filipowski. They also have the No. 2 ranked recruiting class from the 2023 cycle.
One of the most highly anticipated nonconference games for Duke is against Michigan State on Nov. 14 in the Champions Classic. Kansas and Kentucky will also be playing each other on the same day. These are considered top college basketball games of the season.
Here are the top five nonconference games for the Blue Devils this season:
1. Michigan State
When: Nov. 14, 2023 Where: United Center (Chicago)
Michigan State is Duke’s top non-ACC opponent this season. The Spartans have high expectations and return three key starters from last season. This game will feature a battle of guards and is expected to be one of the top college basketball games of the season.
When: Nov. 29, 2023 Where: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has been building a strong team in Fayetteville. They have some new faces from the transfer portal, including Louisville guard El Ellis who averaged over 17 points per game. This will be a challenging road game for Duke in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
3. Arizona
When: Nov. 10, 2023 Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium (Durham, North Carolina)
Arizona will be playing against Duke in Durham. This game is notable because it marks the return of Caleb Love to Tobacco Road, where he played a key role in eliminating Duke in the 2022 Final Four. It is expected to be a highly anticipated game for Duke fans. Arizona has a tough nonconference schedule that includes games against Michigan State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Alabama, and FAU.
When: Dec. 20, 2023 Where: Madison Square Garden (New York)
Duke will be facing Baylor at Madison Square Garden. Baylor has added some talented players from the transfer portal and is expected to be a tough opponent.
When: Dec. 12, 2023 Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium (Durham, North Carolina)
Duke will be hosting Hofstra, which will be an early-season test. Hofstra had a good record last season and nearly made it to the NCAA Tournament. This game will serve as a final tune-up for Duke before facing Baylor. Duke’s nonconference schedule is not as difficult as in previous years, and they have an experienced roster heading into ACC play.
2023-24 Duke basketball schedule
| Mon, Nov 6 | Dartmouth | Durham, North Carolina |
| Fri, Nov 10 | Arizona | Durham, North Carolina |
| Tue, Nov 14 | vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic) | Chicago |
| Fri, Nov 17 | Bucknell | Durham, North Carolina |
| Tue, Nov 21 | La Salle | Durham, North Carolina |
| Fri, Nov 24 | Southern Indiana | Durham, North Carolina |
| Wed, Nov 29 | at Arkansas | Fayetteville, Ark |
| Sat, Dec 2 | at Georgia Tech | Atlanta |
| Sat, Dec 9 | Charlotte | Durham, North Carolina |
| Tue, Dec 12 | Hofstra | Durham, North Carolina |
| Wed, Dec 20 | vs. Baylor | New York |
| Sat, Dec 30 | Queens | Durham, North Carolina |
| Tue, Jan 2 | Syracuse | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Jan 6 | at Notre Dame | South Bend, Indiana |
| Tue, Jan 9 | at Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh |
| Sat, Jan 13 | Georgia Tech | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Jan 20 | Pittsburgh | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Jan 27 | Clemson | Durham, North Carolina |
| Mon, Jan 29 | at Virginia Tech | Blacksburg, Virginia |
| Sat, Feb 3 | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Wed, Feb 7 | Notre Dame | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Feb 10 | Boston College | Durham, North Carolina |
| Mon, Feb 12 | Wake Forest | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Feb 17 | at Florida State | Talahassee, Florida |
| Wed, Feb 21 | at Miami | Coral Gables, Florida |
| Fri, Feb 23 | at Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Sat, Feb 24 | at Wake Forest | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Wed, Feb 28 | Louisville | Durham, North Carolina |
| Sat, Mar 2 | Virginia | Durham, North Carolina |
| Mon, Mar 4 | at NC State | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Sat, Mar 9 | North Carolina | Durham, North Carolina |
| Tue, Mar 12-Sat, Mar 16 | ACC Tournament | Washington D.C. |
