Duke Basketball Clinches No. 1 Seed as Postseason Looms
Duke Basketball has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll following a dominant close to the regular season. The Blue Devils solidified their top-seed status with an emphatic 82-69 road win over North Carolina, securing the outright ACC regular-season title and setting the stage for a deep postseason run. With 24 victories in their last 25 games, Duke has established itself as the team to beat, heading into the ACC Tournament and beyond.
Duke’s Return to the Top
The Blue Devils ended Auburn’s eight-week reign at No. 1, taking advantage of back-to-back losses by the Tigers. Duke received 52 of 61 first-place votes from the national media panel, surpassing Houston, which moved to No. 2, and Auburn, which dropped to No. 3. This marks the program’s first time at No. 1 since November 2021, when legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski was in his final season.
Head coach Jon Scheyer, in his third season at the helm, downplayed the ranking’s significance but acknowledged the team’s achievement. “Just my luck to be No. 1 going into the postseason when it really doesn’t matter,” Scheyer said with a laugh. “We haven’t talked about it one time. We have talked about being No. 1 when this thing is all said and done.”
Dominant Regular Season Performance
Duke’s path to the top was built on consistent, dominant performances. The team closed the regular season with an eight-game winning streak, all by double digits. The Blue Devils finished with a 28-3 record and the nation’s highest scoring margin at 22.1 points per game. Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has been instrumental in their success, leading the team in scoring and defensive intensity.
Despite losing just one ACC game—to Clemson in February—Duke remained poised and relentless. They cruised through their schedule, delivering statement wins over top rivals. Their ability to maintain focus and execute at a high level has positioned them as the clear favorite in the ACC Tournament.
Postseason Outlook
As the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament, Duke enters play on Thursday in the quarterfinals. While teams like Clemson and Louisville could pose challenges, the conference title is Duke’s to lose. Clemson remains the only ACC team to have defeated Duke this season, but the Blue Devils are laser-focused on avenging that loss.
On the national stage, Duke’s path to securing the NCAA Tournament’s top overall seed remains uncertain. Auburn, despite its late-season stumble, is still in contention for the honor, along with Houston. For Duke to lock in the No. 1 overall seed, it must dominate in Charlotte and hope for an early Auburn exit in the SEC Tournament.
With an ACC title in hand and the No. 1 ranking restored, Duke has positioned itself as a legitimate national championship contender. The Blue Devils’ combination of elite talent, depth, and coaching will make them a formidable force in March Madness. If their dominant form continues, a deep tournament run—and potentially another banner in Cameron Indoor Stadium—could be on the horizon.
