Duke heads into the new college basketball season carrying all the usual weight that comes with a No. 2 ranking, and CBS Sports has the Blue Devils right near the top of its latest Top 101.
With the 2026 exhibition schedule winding down and the regular season now less than seven days away, Jon Scheyer’s team is once again being slotted among the sport’s elite. Duke already sits inside the top three of both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Coaches poll, and CBS Sports has placed the Blue Devils second overall, trailing only Florida.
That lines up with the way the rankings are framed. Schools in the 1-15 range are labeled national title hopefuls, the top 22 or so are viewed as Final Four contenders, teams in the top 35 are Sweet 16 candidates, and those in the top 65 are considered at-large and bubble teams.
For Duke, the message is clear: this is a roster built to chase something bigger than a strong regular season. Even after the disappointing Elite Eight loss to UConn, the Blue Devils retooled and are expected to be in the hunt again for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Scheyer and his staff have assembled another roster that looks like one of the best in the country.
Florida claiming the No. 1 spot does not change how close the race appears to be at the top. The Gators may be getting a little more love in the rankings, but Duke is right there behind them. The two programs will also meet this season in the ACC/SEC Challenge in Florida, adding another spotlight game to the calendar.
Elsewhere in CBS Sports’ ACC rankings, Virginia comes in at No. 11 and Louisville at No. 15. North Carolina is slotted at No. 32 in the first year under head coach Michael Malone.
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Duke Fans Have One Huge Reason To Watch Asa Montgomery Today
There is plenty happening around Duke right now, but the spotlight today is on the recruiting trail, where five-star small forward Asa Montgomery is expected to announce his college commitment. For a program that keeps landing in the conversation for elite talent, this is the kind of decision that can shape both the immediate future and the long view, especially with the Blue Devils already carrying momentum from a roster that includes names like Kager Knueppel and Luke Paul.
The timing adds to the buzz, too, with former Duke standouts Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer off to strong starts in the NBA and the football program gearing up for a key home game against Boston College during a demanding stretch. Still, for basketball fans, Montgomerys announcement is the headline worth circling, because it could give Duke another major piece to build around and keep the programs talent pipeline rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Freshmen Just Gave Jon Scheyer A Real Rotation Problem
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The upside is obvious, but so is the uncertainty that comes with freshmen learning the pace and demands of college basketball. Some of those roles figure to change from game to game as Duke settles in, which gives the staff flexibility but also creates a tricky balancing act once the games start counting. The opener should offer a first real look at how much trust Scheyer is willing to place in that young group right away. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Faces A Real Test As Boston College Brings New Momentum
Boston College is showing up to this Atlantic Coast Conference matchup with a little more life than its record might suggest, and Duke will have to be ready for it. The Eagles have pieced together back-to-back comeback wins, leaning on the kind of late-game resilience that can change the feel of a season, and now they get their first meeting with Duke since 2022 in a game that should tell both teams something.
For the Blue Devils, the timing is interesting after a close win over Virginia, the kind of game that can either sharpen a team or leave it vulnerable if the edge slips. Duke will be watching its own health as well, with Walker Eget expected to play despite a recent finger injury, while Boston College brings Mason McKenzie, Bo MacCormack III and a bit of momentum into a matchup that suddenly looks more demanding than it might have a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]