The cramping issues came up right at the start of the second half when Maluach was chasing down a loose ball. Unfortunately, his leg got caught underneath Kentucky's Andrew Carr, causing Maluach to take a slow and painful rise. Though he briefly stayed in the game, it wasn't long before he had to go to the bench. And after a brief return to the court, Maluach was once again forced to leave, heading to the locker room after being treated for cramps right next to the bench. It was a frustrating sight for Duke fans and a worrisome one for Scheyer.
Scheyer, after the game, expressed his deep concern. "It's concerning," he said. “We’ve got to take a hard look at it." He attributed the problem in part to the fact that Duke’s roster is filled with young players, noting that these athletes, still growing into their bodies, are especially vulnerable to such issues. "We have young bodies, that's part of it," Scheyer continued. “But we’ve got to help these guys.” It was clear that Scheyer wasn't looking to just dip his toes into addressing the problem—he’s ready to dive in and make sure his team is prepared to deal with such issues head-on.
Maluach finished the game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks—stats that reflect his potential but also the limitations his cramping issues caused. However, it wasn’t just Maluach who suffered physically during the game. Reserve guard Sion James also went down in the second half after taking a hard hit on a screen with about 13 minutes left in the game. James, clutching his shoulder, immediately headed to the locker room, but after returning to the bench, he was ruled out for the rest of the game. Scheyer had no immediate update on James’ condition after the game, but he assured the media that James would be evaluated when the team returned to their home base in Durham, North Carolina.
"The health of these two guys is really important to us," Scheyer said, making it clear that both Maluach and James are key pieces to Duke’s plans for the season.
This game wasn’t the first time Duke has had to deal with cramping issues this season. Earlier, in Duke’s home victory over Army, freshman star Cooper Flagg also dealt with cramps and missed a significant portion of the second half. After that game, Scheyer was visibly frustrated. “We can’t have that happen,” he said. “We’ve got to help him. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again." Scheyer made it clear that he was taking the situation seriously, promising to meet with the team’s training staff right after the Army game to figure out what needed to be done. “I don’t care if it’s all night,” Scheyer vowed. “Bottom line, we’ve got to fix this.”
Despite the prior cramping setback, Flagg bounced back with a stellar performance against Kentucky. He played 32 minutes and finished with an impressive stat line of 26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. It’s a sign that Duke’s freshman talent, including Flagg, is undeniably strong, but the physical toll the game demands is also a reality the Blue Devils will have to contend with throughout the season.
As the Blue Devils prepare to face the challenges of the upcoming games, Scheyer’s leadership will undoubtedly be put to the test, especially in managing player health and preventing more instances of cramping. It’s not just about coaching strategy and game tactics at this point; it’s about ensuring the team’s physical readiness and overall well-being. The recurring cramping problems are clearly something the coaching staff has to address immediately to avoid further setbacks.
For Duke’s freshmen, it’s been an eye-opening start to the season. While their talent is evident, the intense physical demands of college basketball have become clear, and learning how to navigate this new environment—both physically and mentally—will be crucial for their development. The physicality of the game can be a beast, especially for young athletes adjusting to the higher level of competition, and the Blue Devils will need to find ways to combat these issues to be successful.
In the meantime, Scheyer’s resolve to improve his players' physical preparation is likely to take center stage. If the Blue Devils are to fulfill their potential this season, they must tackle these health-related challenges head-on, ensuring their star players are not sidelined by issues that can be managed.
With the talent they have in players like Flagg, Maluach, and James, Duke has the tools to be a top contender. But to truly make a deep run into March, they’ll need their players to be healthy, strong, and ready for whatever the season throws at them. Scheyer is determined to make sure his players are physically prepared for the grind of the college basketball season. He’s already making the adjustments necessary to prevent these recurring issues, but as the season progresses, it will be up to the players to stay on top of their physical care and ensure they are fully ready for the challenges ahead.
The physical demands of college basketball are undeniable, and it’s clear that for Duke, the health of their young players will be a major storyline to watch this season. With their talent and Scheyer’s leadership, though, the Blue Devils still have everything they need to overcome these early-season hurdles and make a big impact.
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