Duke’s Earliest Opener: Basketball Alum Jay Bilas Thanks Blue Devils Ahead of Season Debut

Bilas returns to Duke

Bilas played center on Duke’s 1985-86 team, which won a program-record 37 games and reached the national championship game. He later served as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, including during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 national championship seasons.

He has worked as an ESPN color commentator and studio analyst for more than 30 years. Bilas remains involved with the program and often visits Cameron during the offseason.

His first assignment of the 2026-27 regular season will be Duke’s opener against the Army Black Knights. The game is set for 6:30 p.m. ET Monday on ESPNU.

A message of appreciation

Bilas spoke to the 2026-27 Blue Devils on Sunday after head coach Jon Scheyer asked him to address the team. He thanked the players for their contributions to Duke and for the way they conduct themselves.

He said their impact goes beyond winning games or reaching Elite Eights and Final Fours, pointing to how they relate to each other and the surrounding community. Bilas also urged them to remember that former players support them.

Bilas told the team that, decades later, they may find themselves supporting the next generation of Duke players. He spoke for 11 minutes.

Duke’s opening week

Monday’s game will be Duke’s earliest season opener in history. The Blue Devils are scheduled to host the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on ACC Network.

Duke will then travel to Chicago for the Champions Classic, where it is scheduled to face No. 6 Michigan State on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.