Duke coach Jon Scheyer set the schedule up to challenge his young stars early, but the tough lessons are still that — tough.

Cooper Flagg and the No. 11 Duke basketball nearly pulled off an upset on Tuesday against the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks.

Top-ranked Kansas is set to face No. 11 Duke in a high-profile clash Tuesday night, a matchup showcasing two of college basketball’s most storied programs. With the Jayhawks entering as the No. 1 team in the country,

Experience is key for Duke basketball as the Blue Devils try to become the best version of themselves by March. Kansas provided the latest lesson.

After another one of his star freshmen dealt with cramping issues, Duke Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer said after Tuesday's 77-72 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats the recurring issue was "concerning," adding that the program has to "take a hard look at it.

Following the bout in Arizona's famously hostile McKale Center, Jon Scheyer and his crew will get the Blue Devils ready for their Vegas Showdown opening bout against the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN).

The college basketball world saw the Duke Blue Devils come up short against the Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday night, an effort doomed by a turnover in the final five seconds. Head coach Jon Scheyer saw his team battle back from a nightmare start.