### Duke Men’s Basketball Hosts Lincoln University Lions in Annual HBCU Exhibition

Duke University’s men’s basketball team is set to continue its tradition of hosting HBCU conference champions, welcoming the Lincoln University Lions to Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra, with Chris Edwards and Debbie Taylor calling the action. David Shumate and John Roth will provide coverage on the Blue Devil Sports Network.

**About the Lincoln Lions:**

Lincoln University, established in 1854 as The Ashmun Institute and renamed in 1866, holds the distinction of being the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU. The Lions, reigning CIAA tournament champions, are returning with 11 of the 12 letterwinners from last season's squad, which finished with a 17-14 record. This includes their top six scorers, led by senior guards Bakir Cleveland (12.6 points per game), Reggie Hudson (11.1 points per game), and Freddie Young, Jr. (10.9 points per game).

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Julius Hodge, a former All-ACC selection and 2004 ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year, the Lions aim to build on their recent success. Hodge, a 2005 graduate of North Carolina State University and a former Denver Nuggets first-round draft pick, spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

**The 2024-25 Duke Blue Devils:**

Returning for the Blue Devils are two starters from their previous Elite Eight squad, complemented by the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class and four significant additions through the transfer portal. Duke’s incoming freshman class features five top-20 players according to 247Sports' rankings, enhancing a lineup that combines youthful talent with substantial veteran experience.

The non-freshman players have accumulated over 500 games played, 300 starts, and more than 13,000 minutes on the court. Junior point guard Jeremy Roach, a key player returning, has logged 68 games and 59 starts with the Blue Devils. Roach averaged 10.5 points per game and led the team with 118 assists last season.

**Coach Jon Scheyer’s Leadership:**

In his third season as Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer has led the team to successive 27-9 records. Under his guidance, the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament in 2023 and reached the Elite Eight in 2024. Scheyer’s initial two years have been notably successful, registering the most overall wins (54), conference wins (29), and NCAA Tournament victories (4) among Duke head coaches in their first two seasons.

Scheyer’s impressive .750 overall win percentage ties with Eddie Cameron’s record from 1928-30, and his .725 conference win percentage is the best since Harold Bradley's tenure in 1950-52. Additionally, Scheyer achieved the 50-win milestone faster than any other Duke coach, reaching it in just 65 games.

**Looking Forward:**

As Duke celebrates its centennial in 2024, marking a century since Trinity College became Duke University, the upcoming match against Lincoln University promises to be a blend of rich history and competitive sportsmanship. The Blue Devils aim to deepen the understanding of their history, inspire pride, and strengthen community bonds as they prepare for another century of excellence and leadership.