Duke’s off to a scorching start this season, and there’s no denying the Blue Devils look every bit the part of a national title contender. A 10-0 record, four wins over ranked opponents, and a road victory at Michigan State?
That’s the kind of résumé that usually screams No. 1 in the country. But here’s the thing - Arizona has been just that good.
The Wildcats haven’t just been winning - they’ve been dominating. At 9-0, Arizona has already knocked off five ranked teams, a feat no program in college basketball history has ever accomplished this early in a season.
And they’re not squeaking by, either. Those five wins have come by an average margin of 12.8 points.
That’s not just impressive - that’s the kind of statement that earns you the top spot in the AP Poll.
Duke’s win at Michigan State was a big one - walking into East Lansing and coming out with a victory is never easy. For a moment, it felt like the Blue Devils had built the best résumé in the sport.
But then Arizona went out and dismantled No. 12 Alabama, and suddenly the conversation shifted again.
The Wildcats’ body of work is hard to argue with. Wins over Alabama, Auburn, UConn, and Florida - all ranked, all tough outs - have set them apart. While Duke’s start has been nearly flawless, Arizona’s level of competition and the way they’ve handled it has given them the edge.
At this stage in the season, it’s all about the wins. Style points matter, sure, but the quality of the victories carries the most weight. And right now, nobody’s stacking up wins like Arizona.
That doesn’t mean Duke isn’t in the thick of the title race - far from it. The Blue Devils are loaded with talent, playing with confidence, and showing they can win in different ways. But if we’re talking about who has the best résumé in college basketball at this moment, Arizona’s sitting at the top of the mountain.
It’s still early, and there’s a long road ahead. Conference play will test both squads, and March is where legacies are made. But through the first month of the season, Arizona’s done everything you could ask of a No. 1 team - and then some.