Duke’s suffocating defense and balanced scoring propelled the Blue Devils to No. 2 in Monday’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, jumping four spots after dismantling a pair of ranked opponents during a statement-making week in college basketball.
The Blue Devils (12-2) received eight first-place votes following wins over then-No. 17 Arizona (78-73) and previously unbeaten Auburn (84-78), showcasing the depth and versatility that has Jon Scheyer’s squad looking like the most complete team in the country outside of defending champion Connecticut.
Huskies Maintain Stranglehold at Summit
UConn (14-2) retained the top spot with 48 first-place votes from the 62-member media panel, but the Huskies’ margin over Duke shrunk considerably after a closer-than-expected 76-65 victory over Georgetown on Saturday. Dan Hurley’s squad has now held the No. 1 ranking for six consecutive weeks dating back to mid-December.
“We’re not playing with the same edge we had earlier in the season,” Hurley said following the Georgetown game. “Championship teams find ways to win when they’re not at their best, but we can’t rely on talent alone.”
The Huskies’ two losses came against ranked opponents – a 85-67 defeat to Memphis in the Maui Invitational championship and a stunning 99-97 triple-overtime loss to Kansas at Madison Square Garden that many consider the game of the season.
Blue Devils’ Defense Drives Rankings Surge
Duke’s ascent stems largely from a defensive transformation that has the Blue Devils allowing just 58.3 points per game over their last eight contests. Cooper Flagg, the 17-year-old freshman phenom, has emerged as the team’s defensive anchor while averaging 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds.
Against Arizona, Flagg recorded four steals and three blocks while limiting Wildcats star Caleb Love to 3-of-12 shooting. The performance continued a remarkable stretch for the Maine native, who has recorded at least two steals in seven straight games.
“Cooper sees plays develop before they happen,” Scheyer said. “His basketball IQ at 17 years old is unlike anything I’ve coached.”
Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel has provided the offensive complement, shooting 47.8 percent from three-point range over the team’s six-game winning streak. The 6-foot-7 wing scored 28 points in the Auburn victory, connecting on seven three-pointers.
Rankings Shuffle Reflects Parity
Iowa State climbed three spots to No. 3 following impressive wins over Kansas State and Cincinnati, while Auburn dropped five places to No. 8 after the Duke loss snapped their perfect season. The Tigers (13-1) had been undefeated longer than any other major conference team.
Tennessee vaulted into the top five for the first time this season, moving up to No. 4 after Rick Barnes’ squad extended their winning streak to nine games. The Volunteers have won 11 of 12 since an early-season loss to Illinois.
Marquette rounded out the top five, holding steady despite a midweek scare against Providence. Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles have relied heavily on Kam Jones, who leads the Big East in scoring at 19.1 points per game.
Wildcats’ Slide Continues
Kentucky suffered the week’s biggest tumble, dropping eight spots to No. 19 after consecutive home losses to Georgia and Alabama. The Wildcats (11-4) have lost four of their last seven games, including three defeats to unranked opponents.
Mark Pope’s first season in Lexington has featured dramatic swings, with the Wildcats owning signature wins over Duke and Gonzaga but struggling with consistency in SEC play. Senior guard Lamont Butler has been limited by a lingering ankle injury, shooting just 38.2 percent over the last four games.
“We’re learning how to play together under pressure,” Pope said after the Alabama loss. “These young men will figure it out, but we need to accelerate that process.”
Conference Race Implications
The rankings reshuffle carries significant implications for conference title races. Duke’s surge puts additional pressure on North Carolina and Virginia in the ACC, while UConn’s dominance positions the Huskies as overwhelming Big East favorites despite Creighton’s 12-3 start.
In the SEC, Auburn’s perfect season ending opens the door for Tennessee and Alabama, though the Tigers remain conference favorites given their depth and veteran leadership from Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara.
The Big 12 continues its reputation as college basketball’s most competitive conference, with four teams in the top 15: Iowa State, Kansas (No. 11), Houston (No. 12), and Cincinnati (No. 15).
Duke returns to action Thursday against Miami in ACC play, while UConn faces a challenging road test Saturday at Georgetown.
