Duke's impressive victory over Michigan has reshaped the March Madness landscape, positioning them as the frontrunners for the No. 1 overall seed. The Blue Devils, now sitting atop the rankings with 56 first-place votes, delivered a statement win, defeating the former No. 1 team, Michigan, 68-63, in front of a packed house at Capital One Arena.
This triumph not only boosts Duke's confidence heading into the NCAA Tournament but also alters the seeding projections. While Michigan only slipped to No. 3, remaining in strong contention for a top seed, Duke's ascension to No. 1 was seen as almost inevitable. According to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, the Blue Devils' path to the top spot seemed destined, as their competition-Michigan, Arizona, and UConn-faced tougher schedules with more chances for upsets.
Even without their recent victory, Michigan's upcoming games against Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan State posed significant challenges. Other contenders are similarly vulnerable in their conference tournaments, giving Duke a clearer path.
Looking ahead, Duke's schedule includes a relatively straightforward matchup against a 12-15 Notre Dame team. However, tougher tests await with No.
11 Virginia, NC State, and No. 18 North Carolina on the horizon.
Despite these challenges, Lunardi believes Duke is in control of its destiny regarding bracket placement and seeding.
Currently boasting a 25-2 overall record and a 13-1 mark in ACC play, Duke's only conference loss came at the hands of North Carolina. The upcoming game against Virginia is particularly critical, as a win would provide some cushion should North Carolina manage another upset.
As March 15 approaches, fans can likely expect to see Duke's iconic navy blue "D" prominently displayed at the top of the selection show, signaling their status as the team to beat in the tournament.