Duke Rises to No. 1 in Power Rankings
Duke's men's basketball team has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the latest ESPN Men's College Basketball Power Rankings. The new ranking solidifies their position as a top contender for the national championship as the season heads toward tournament play.
The Blue Devils' ascent was powered by a marquee 68-63 victory over then-No. 1 ranked Michigan, a game that drew an average of 4.3 million viewers, making it the highest-rated men's college basketball game since 2019. Following that, Duke secured a dominant 100-56 road win against Notre Dame. Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, a frontrunner for National Player of the Year, has been instrumental in Duke's success. He recorded his 16th double-double of the season against Notre Dame with 24 points and 13 rebounds, leading a charge that saw six Blue Devils score in double figures. Head coach Jon Scheyer, in only his second season, is earning praise for leading the team beyond initial projections. With the recent win over Notre Dame, Scheyer became the only coach in ACC history to have two separate 40-point road victories in conference play. This year's team has surpassed the preseason expectations that placed them outside the top five nationally. With a 26-2 record, Duke's only two losses have come by a combined total of just four points. The Blue Devils now hold the top spot in the NET rankings and are tied with Arizona for the most Quadrant 1 wins with 12, strengthening their case for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Duke's final stretch of the regular season presents a tough test, with upcoming games against No. 11 Virginia, an away game at NC State, and a home rivalry matchup against North Carolina.
