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As preseason college basketball rankings continue to be unveiled, Duke basketball is once again positioned among the nation's elite programs heading into the 2026-27 campaign. The Blue Devils are the unanimous pick to win the ACC and have earned a No. 1 ranking in certain national preseason polls.
Duke began its preseason schedule with a 102-62 victory over Belmont on Oct. 8. The Blue Devils have two more exhibition contests remaining—against Tennessee on Oct. 20 and at Kansas on Oct. 25—before tipping off the regular season on Nov. 1 against Army at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The roster features five returning players from last year's squad that went 35-3 and captured both the ACC regular-season and tournament championships. Duke also brings in the country's second-rated recruiting class along with three transfers.
Where Duke Stands in Preseason Rankings
In the USA Today preseason Top 25 released Monday, Oct. 19, Duke checks in at No. 2, trailing only Florida (No. 1) and ahead of Illinois (3), Arizona (4), and UConn (5). The preseason AP poll, also released Monday, Oct. 19, places the Blue Devils at No. 2, with Florida at No. 1 and Illinois (3), UConn (4), and Arizona (5) completing the top five.
ESPN's preseason Top 25, released Wednesday, Oct. 7, has Duke at No. 2, behind No. 1 Florida, with Illinois (3), Arizona (4), and UConn (5) rounding out the top five.
Analytics sites tell a slightly different story. KenPom ranks the Blue Devils No. 1, ahead of Florida (2), Houston (3), Illinois (4), and Arizona (5). Bart Torvik also places Duke at No. 1, with Arizona (2), Florida (3), Virginia (4), and Houston (5) following. EvanMiya lists Duke at No. 2, just below top-ranked Florida.
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at [email protected] or followed on X at @annaesnydr.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Where Duke basketball ranks in preseason polls entering the 2026-27 season.
Originally reported by yahoo.