Duke basketball is gearing up for an absolutely loaded non-conference slate in 2025-26, but before the season officially begins, the Blue Devils will face another power league opponent in an exhibition showdown.

On Thursday, Duke announced an exhibition matchup against UCF at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21, ahead of the season-opener against Texas on Nov. 4. The matchup will pit coach Jon Scheyer against another former Duke player in UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins, who makes his return to Durham in what has been dubbed the “Brotherhood Run.”

Dawkins, who played at Duke from 1982-86, was a two-time First Team All-American as a college player. His jersey was retired by the Blue Devils in 1996, and his 2,556 points stood as the all-time program record for 20 years until being surpassed by JJ Redick in 2006.

“It means a lot to welcome Johnny Dawkins and UCF to Cameron for this exhibition,” Scheyer said in a release. “Johnny is truly one of the pillars of Duke Basketball. His jersey hangs in the rafters, and his legacy is felt every day within our program. I had the privilege of playing my first two years here with him on the coaching staff, and I learned so much from the way he leads with integrity and humility. This game will be a great test for both teams as we gear up for the season and we get a chance to play in front of our fans in Cameron.”

“It’s always special going back to Duke — it’s a place that shaped so much of who I am, both as a player and a person,” Dawkins said. “To have the opportunity to bring our UCF team there, to compete in that environment and be part of something meaningful, is an honor. It’s not just about basketball — it’s about giving back to the game and continuing the relationships that helped build my foundation.”

Dawkins began his coaching career at Duke, and he served as an assistant at his alma mater from 1999-08. He coached Scheyer as a player during that time before leaving to become the head coach at Stanford.

He reached the Sweet 16 with the Cardinal in 2014, but that was ultimately his only NCAA tournament appearance in Palo Alto as he was fired two years later. Dawkins has coached at UCF since 2016, and he has one NCAA tournament appearance and three NIT appearances.

The Knights are coming off a 20-17 season in which they finished 7-13 in Big 12 play, tying for 13th in the league, and finished as the runner-up in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.

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