Duke basketball continues to climb the national ladder, and with the way they’ve been handling ACC opponents, it’s no surprise. The Blue Devils are now 18-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference play, and their latest jump in the polls reflects just how dominant they’ve looked over the past few weeks.
In the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll released Monday, Duke moved up to No. 4, their second-highest ranking of the season. They also climbed a spot to No. 4 in the AP Top 25, trailing only Arizona, UConn, and Michigan in both major polls. Simply put, the Blue Devils are back in the national spotlight-and they’re earning every bit of it.
Statement Win Fuels the Rise
Duke’s latest performance was a 90-69 statement win over Wake Forest on Jan. 24, and it was Cameron Boozer who stole the show. The freshman phenom dropped 32 points, showcasing the kind of offensive versatility and poise that’s quickly making him one of the most exciting players in college basketball. But it wasn’t just Boozer doing damage-Isaiah Evans continued his consistent scoring stretch with 11 points, marking his seventh straight game in double figures, while Patrick Ngongba II chipped in with 13 of his own.
This was a complete team effort, and it’s that kind of balance that’s made Duke so dangerous. Boozer may be the headliner, but the supporting cast is stepping up at the right time, and that depth is going to matter as the season grinds on.
A Look at the Rankings
Let’s break down where Duke stands across the major rankings and analytics as of Jan. 26:
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
- Rank: No. 4 (up from No.
- Total Votes: 686
- Highest ACC Team: Yes
Duke leads the pack among ACC programs, sitting ahead of Virginia (17), UNC (18), Clemson (19), and Louisville (20). The top three spots are held by Arizona, Michigan, and UConn, all of whom have been consistently strong this season. But Duke is right there in the mix, and they’re trending upward.
AP Top 25
- Rank: No. 4 (up from No. 5)
It’s a similar story in the AP Poll. Arizona, UConn, and Michigan hold the top three spots, with Duke right behind. The Blue Devils are the highest-ranked ACC team here as well, with UNC (16), Virginia (17), Louisville (20), and Clemson (22) rounding out the conference’s representation.
NET Rankings
- Rank: No. 3 (down from No. 2)
Duke slipped one spot in the NCAA Evaluation Tool rankings, but they’re still in elite territory. They’re 8-1 against Quadrant 1 opponents-tied with Arizona for the most Q1 wins in the country-and a perfect 10-0 against teams in Quadrants 2 through 4. That’s the kind of résumé that holds up in March.
KenPom, Bart Torvik, EvanMiya
- KenPom: No.
3
- Bart Torvik: No. 8 (up three spots)
- EvanMiya: No. 3
The advanced metrics back up what the eye test tells us: this Duke team is for real. KenPom and EvanMiya both have them as a top-three team nationally, while Bart Torvik now places them inside the top 10 after a three-spot jump. These models take into account efficiency, strength of schedule, and other key factors-and Duke checks a lot of boxes.
What’s Next
The Blue Devils return to action Monday night with a marquee matchup against No. 20 Louisville at Cameron Indoor.
That’s followed by a road test at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Jan. 31.
These are two more chances for Duke to solidify their hold on the ACC and continue building a case for a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
With Boozer leading the charge, a deep and balanced rotation behind him, and a defense that’s quietly been one of the most disciplined in the country, Duke isn’t just winning-they’re evolving into a team that looks built for March. And if they keep handling business the way they have been, don’t be surprised if they crack that top three again very soon.