Duke Moves to No. 1 in AP Poll After Statement Win Over North Carolina

Duke University has ascended to the number one position in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after delivering a resounding 89-76 victory over rival North Carolina in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday night. The Blue Devils commanding performance, coupled with losses by previously top-ranked teams, has dramatically reshaped the college basketball landscape with Selection Sunday just three weeks away.

Jon Scheyer squad dominated from the opening tip, with freshman sensation Cooper Flagg leading the charge with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in what many considered his finest collegiate performance. The 6-foot-9 forward from Maine has emerged as the consensus national player of the year frontrunner, averaging 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from three-point range. His versatility and basketball IQ have drawn comparisons to former Duke greats like Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson.

The victory marked Duke eighth consecutive win and improved their record to 24-3 overall, 15-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Blue Devils have now beaten four ranked opponents in their last six games, establishing themselves as the premier team in college basketball elite tier. Jeremy Roach contributed 19 points and 8 assists, while Kyle Filipowski added 16 points and 9 rebounds in the frontcourt alongside Flagg dominant display.

North Carolina entered the game ranked fifth in the nation but struggled to match Duke intensity and execution throughout the contest. Armando Bacot led the Tar Heels with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but the senior center was often overwhelmed by Duke athletic frontcourt rotation. Head coach Hubert Davis acknowledged after the game that his team needed to improve their defensive communication and transition defense ahead of the upcoming ACC Tournament.

The poll shakeup occurred after Houston suffered a stunning upset loss to Cincinnati on Thursday, while Purdue fell to Michigan State in East Lansing on the same night. These results opened the door for Duke dramatic rise to the summit, marking the first time the program has held the number one ranking since the 2018-19 season under former coach Mike Krzyzewski final years.

With the regular season winding down, Duke finds itself in prime position for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils remaining schedule includes road games against Virginia and Florida State, followed by the ACC Tournament in Greensboro. Scheyer, in his second season as head coach, has successfully maintained the program championship culture while adapting to the modern era of college basketball recruiting and player development. The upcoming weeks will prove crucial as Duke seeks to convert their regular season success into a deep March Madness run.