Duke Basketball 'Under-Seeded' Despite Projected Top Seed

The 2024-25 Duke basketball team's current efficiency rating is almost completely off the charts.
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

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Third-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his Duke basketball squad rank No. 2 in the AP Top 25 Poll and are averaging 21.6 more points per game than their opponents. With three games left on their conference slate, the Blue Devils (25-3, 16-1 ACC) already hold the record for the most ACC regular season wins by 20-plus points (eight).

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On Friday afternoon, college hoops analytics guru Evan Miyakawa posted a graphic in which Duke's dominance this season breaks the formula, standing out as an outlier.

Based on the latest NCAA Tournament projections, Miyakawa compared all 68 teams' seed to their efficiency rating. And as it turns out, according to his calculations, the Blue Devils are one of the most "under-seeded" squads despite sitting on the top seed line:

Duke basketball, riding a five-game winning streak and with only one loss in the past three months, is now gearing up for its first March contest this year.

Fresh off Tuesday night's 97-60 road win over the lowly Miami Hurricanes, the Blue Devils host the Florida State Seminoles (16-12, 7-10 ACC) at 7 p.m. ET Saturday (ACC Network), the first of back-to-back Duke outings in the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.

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Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.


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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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