As March Madness looms on the horizon, the college basketball landscape is shifting with Duke now sitting atop the Coaches Poll. Fresh off a victory over previous No. 1 Michigan, the Blue Devils have claimed the top spot, showcasing their prowess just in time for the tournament season.
Michigan, despite the setback, remains formidable at No. 3, while Houston slips after facing tough losses against top-10 rivals. Duke’s rise is powered by standout freshman Cameron Boozer, whose 18-point performance against Michigan has been pivotal. The Blue Devils have been on a tear, losing only once to archrival North Carolina since the new year, and securing nine of their last ten victories by a comfortable 13 points or more.
Meanwhile, Florida, the reigning national champion, is making waves in the SEC. After some early struggles against a challenging non-conference schedule, the Gators have surged back into the top 10, climbing to No.
- They’re dominating the SEC with a 12-2 record, leaving Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee in a three-way tie behind them at 10-4.
Florida’s current seven-game winning streak is marked by an impressive average victory margin of 21.6 points.
Here's how the Feb. 23 Coaches Poll shakes out, with first-place votes in parentheses:
- Duke (27)
- Arizona (4)
- Michigan
- Houston
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Florida
- Purdue
- Gonzaga
- Nebraska
- Illinois
- Virginia
- Michigan State
- Kansas
- St.
John's 16.
Texas Tech 17.
Arkansas 18.
Alabama 19.
North Carolina 20.
Louisville 21.
Vanderbilt 22.
Tennessee 23.
BYU 24.
Saint Louis 25.
Miami (OH)
With the tournament approaching, teams are jockeying for position, and the stage is set for an exciting finish to the season. Keep an eye on these powerhouses as they battle for supremacy and a coveted top seed in the NCAA Tournament.