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Duke Basketball Drops One Spot in Expert's Preseason Ranking

Duke basketball may no longer be the clear frontrunner for a No. 1 preseason ranking.
Matt Giles|
Duke Basketball Drops One Spot in Expert's Preseason Ranking
Duke Basketball Drops One Spot in Expert's Preseason Ranking

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As always, Duke basketball will have an innate target on its back next season regardless of where the team sits in the preseason AP Top 25.

But a No. 1 ranking, which the Blue Devils have been in the running for since ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Filipowski decided to become a sophomore, would undoubtedly add to the pressure of living up to expectations in the second year of Jon Scheyer's reign.

RELATED: Duke Returns Top Four Scorers for First Time in Decades

While most experts have viewed Duke as the favorite to start on top, Kansas is emerging as a contender for that spot due to the announced return from veteran forward Kevin McCullar on Wednesday. McCullar, who averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Jayhawks last season, withdrew his name from the NBA Draft.

When that news broke, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein updated his preseason top 45, dropping the Blue Devils to No. 2 and replacing them with Kansas.

Kansas head coach Bill Self and his staff already had momentum after reeling in arguably the top talent in the transfer portal, former Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, earlier this month.

Suppose the Duke basketball coaches manage to land a commitment from an intriguing transfer to fill their 13th and final scholarship. In that case, it's conceivable the Blue Devils would return to No. 1 in Rothstein's eyes.

RELATED: Prediction Suddenly Disappears in Duke's Transfer Pursuit

Meanwhile, Rothstein projects only one other ACC team to begin the season among the top 25. That team is Miami, fresh off its first Final Four appearance in program history and coming in at No. 7 in Rothstein's updated ranking.

He has UNC at No. 30 and Virginia at No. 32.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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