Duke and Houston, two of the nation’s most accomplished basketball programs, have only faced off once, in last year’s Sweet 16. The second meeting will come with even higher stakes Saturday night in the Final Four.

Leaving the comforts of Northbrook, Illinois, to play in a high-level middle-school league in another Chicago suburb didn’t reveal Jon Scheyer’s courage and versatility. It honed them. And set the tone for the rest of his life.

Jon Scheyer, head coach of the Duke men's basketball team, has been named the 2025 John McLendon National Coach of the Year. This distinguished award recognizes the top head coach across all levels of college basketball, including NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO, celebrating excellence in coaching and leadership.

Before Duke coach Jon Scheyer coached in his first official game after taking over for Mike Krzyzewski, he flew his team to Houston to play in a secret preseason scrimmage.  Scheyer intentionally sought out Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars for his first career "game.

"You get all over him, and he takes it," Scheyer told Marks. "He's been amazing to coach because he's not above anything. And I think with him, he's as loyal of a person as you'll ever be around. So once you're in with him, you're in." Now, Duke is hoping the result is a national championship.

Jon Scheyer will guide the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils into his first Final Four as head coach, following his takeover of the program from

For the second straight season, Houston and Duke face off in the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars and Blue Devils will play the late game Saturday in the Final Four

Jon Scheyer is two victories shy of winning his third NCAA Division I national championship with the storied Duke men’s basketball program: one as a player, one as an assistant coach, and — with wins in San Antonio on Saturday and Monday — one as a head coach.

Duke plays Houston in the Final Four of March Madness. Here's what Jon Scheyer had to say Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.