Duke Blue Devils take top spot in Power Rankings ahead of Arizona
The Duke Blue Devils have risen to the summit of the latest Power Rankings, establishing themselves as the team to beat just weeks out from the NCAA tournament.
Jon Scheyer’s side have climbed to the number one position in the AP poll following a string of dominant performances.
There was little debate regarding their ascension after a commanding victory over Michigan in Washington D.C. on Saturday.
The Blue Devils showcased their credentials as the nation’s premier defensive unit, denying the Wolverines transition opportunities and controlling the offensive glass.
Defensive solidity and offensive flair
While their defensive rigidity has been laudable, the ACC leaders have also discovered a rich vein of scoring form.
Sandwiched around the defensive masterclass against Michigan were high-scoring routs of Syracuse and Notre Dame, where the team tallied 201 total points.
Much of this success is driven by Cameron Boozer, who has cemented his status as the favourite for National Player of the Year.
The Durham-based outfit now appear to have the inside track to the number one overall seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament.
With a 26-2 record, they currently sit first in the NET rankings and are tied with Arizona for the most Quadrant 1 wins with 12.
Scheyer silencing the doubters
Head coach Jon Scheyer has orchestrated a remarkable campaign despite his roster being picked outside the top five in the preseason.
The second-year boss has arguably not received sufficient credit for guiding a team with less raw talent than last year’s squad to a superior standing.
Duke’s only two defeats this season have come in the dying seconds of contests, highlighting their consistency.
Scheyer also recently became the first head coach in ACC history to record multiple 40-point road wins against conference opponents.
To maintain their pole position ahead of Selection Sunday, the Blue Devils must navigate a tricky final stretch.
They face three top-30 calibre opponents in their remaining fixtures: Virginia, NC State, and arch-rivals North Carolina.
Wildcats lead the chasing pack
Sitting just behind Duke in the rankings are the Arizona Wildcats, who also boast a formidable 26-2 record.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd has relied heavily on the clutch performances of his backcourt stars, Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries.
While they may not possess the statistical volume of other elite guards, the duo combined for 49 points in a recent victory over Baylor.
With the postseason looming, both Duke and Arizona look poised to battle for the ultimate billing as the tournament’s top seed.