It truly cannot be explained, but has to be experienced.
Hours before Countdown to Craziness began Friday evening, thunderstorms passed and the clouds parted, opening a blue sky that cleared the way to an electric outdoor environment. Kids interacted with the women’s basketball team on a makeshift blue court and fans eagerly lined up to see players make their introductory walks into Cameron Indoor Stadium.
“It was such a great turnout from our students and our fans,” head coach Jon Scheyer said in his press conference after the event. “I met a few people that came from way across the country and it is one of the only times they’ve been able to come into Cameron Indoor.”
Even for those who live nearby, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the best atmospheres in college athletics.
Sarah and Jason Troiano came to Countdown for their 25th wedding anniversary. Sarah — who works in Duke School of Nursing — had never been to Cameron Indoor and Jason had only been once.
“I've never been in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it's been 30 years since he has,” Sarah said. “We do not have season tickets or anything so this is our shot to see Cameron Indoor.”
“It's a chance to see them play live here, which is pretty special,” Jason said.
That’s the beauty of Countdown — an event to bring together the Durham community, connected by a shared love of all things Duke. A chance for those who aren’t season-ticket holders or can't afford to make the trip to Durham for a regular-season game.
“I never want to take these events for granted,” Scheyer said. “The turnout and the support is just incredible, it’s part of what makes this place so special.”
And the product this Countdown did not disappoint.
With spectacular graphics and an always reliable student section, the atmosphere was beyond exciting, a stunning connection between the staff, the fans and the team to create a magical spectacle that illustrates the tradition of Blue Devil basketball within one event.
In addition, this felt like the perfect group for a memorable Countdown. From freshman guard Jared McCain showing off his famous TikTok dance moves to junior center Stanley Borden’s brave attempt at karaoke, this team is connected, experienced and most importantly, enjoying its time together.
“It was crazy. It was insane. Especially when I got out there dancing and everything I kind of blacked out,” McCain said. “To every kid out there watching, it is everything that you think it is. You get the butterflies, the nervousness … it was surreal.”
But this fun doesn't translate to a lack of focus on the court.
“We're lucky because we have a team that's fun, outgoing and not shy,” Scheyer said. “They do some things on TikTok, but then they cross the line, they get on the court, and they are as serious as can be.”
Commitment to the Brotherhood
Just hours before the beginning of Countdown, head coach Jon Scheyer locked up a six-year extension through the 2028-29 season. This further cemented his life-long commitment to Duke basketball.
“'I’m lucky to be at Duke,” Scheyer said. “I've been fortunate since I was 16 years old.”
There was a possibility that Duke would take time to acclimate to Scheyer roaming the sidelines, and that a few years would pass before the team returned to the pinnacle of college basketball. However, after an ACC title and a No. 2 preseason ranking, the Blue Devil faithful are ready for immediate success.
Four starters are returning, and with no transfers out of the program, Scheyer has already established a culture of retention within his group.
“I was a little bit emotional just watching them out there because what happens is you have 12 guys on scholarship, all 12 of them are being recruited by other places, could have gone pro,” Scheyer said. “I told the crowd [the players] are committed to Duke, and hopefully everybody in this room knows I'm committed to Duke too.”
This commitment to the team was evident throughout the 20-minute scrimmage, as the ball movement demonstrated the unselfishness of a team who understands its roles.
Take sophomore center Christian Reeves, who returned for his second season despite playing limited minutes a season ago. He showed elite rim-protection throughout the game, recording numerous blocks and altering shots. Reeves and sophomore forward Kyle Flipowski also connected on multiple buckets off the high-low game, and his improved offensive feel was on display throughout the evening.
“Christian was great at protecting the room, using his size to finish inside,” Scheyer said. “Him and Coach [Chris] Carrawell have worked really hard consistently”
“It felt good. I’ve been putting in the work in the offseason and it was great to see it showing off,” Reeves said.
The outcome of the scrimmage is not what is important, but returning starting guards Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor teamed up to efficiently control the game and lead the White team to a comfortable victory, a sign of what’s to come this season. Elite guard play wins championships, and this team has the experience and the depth at that position to be very successful.
And, in a fitting ending to the night, these Crazies lured a reluctant Scheyer to join them in the student section, connecting the players and the fans one last time.
For those watching, Countdown was a perfect illustration that Duke basketball is not just a team, but epitomizes a tight-knit fanbase and a community, that everyone — from Scheyer to the Crazies to the Troianos — is all a part of.
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Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity sophomore and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.