Why Duke Deserved Jump in Poll

The Duke basketball program (17-1, 6-0 ACC) has moved into the top-five of the Associated Press Poll following a two-win week out West. The Blue Devils took down California (14-5, 2-4 ACC) 71-56 on Jan. 14, then defeated Stanford (14-5, 3-3 ACC) 80-50 on Jan. 17.

Duke became the second team in the ACC to complete the West Coast trip against the Cardinal and Golden Bears with a 2-0 record since the two clubs joined the conference last year. Wake Forest (11-7, 2-3 ACC) accomplished that during the 2024-25 campaign.

Jan 3, 2026; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

North Carolina (14-4, 2-3 ACC) wasn't so lucky, however. The Tar Heels completed the trip out West the same week the Blue Devils did against the same opponents, but fell to both Stanford and Cal. As a result, UNC dropped eight spots, from No. 14 to No. 22, in the AP Poll.

Following Duke's win over Stanford, the team now boasts an 8-1 record in Quadrant 1 games, more wins in that regard than any other team in the nation. Jon Scheyer's club also sits at 6-0 in true road games, and the only other team with an undefeated road record with at least six wins is No. 2 UConn.

Dec 16, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer during the second half against the Lipscomb Bisons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Duke Moves Into Top Five of AP Poll

Last week's No. 2 team in the nation, Iowa State, suffered two losses to unranked teams over the last week to Kansas and Cincinnati, both on the road. The Cyclones' hiccup freed up the path for the Blue Devils to jump up from No. 6 in the poll.

This week, Duke came in at No. 5. It trails Arizona, UConn, Michigan, and Purdue, in that order. Iowa State dropped to No. 9.

NEW AP TOP 25 ‼️ Arizona is the unanimous No. 1 in the week 11 poll.

Should your team be ranked higher? pic.twitter.com/QtzD4o1GUR
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 19, 2026

As the rankings currently stand, the Blue Devils will face two ranked teams over their next five matchups. First, they will take on No. 23 Louisville (13-5, 3-3 ACC) at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Jan. 26. Then, Duke will head to Chapel Hill for a rivalry bout with UNC on Feb. 7.

Duke has already faced Louisville once this season, taking down the Cardinals 84-73 on Jan. 6 at the KFC Yum! Center.

Jan 6, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) dribbles against Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

ACC Remains With Five Ranked Squads

Duke is still the lone ACC team in the top-10 of the AP Poll. The four other schools out of the conference ranked this week are the same as last week, but some improved while others declined.

Virginia (16-2, 5-1 ACC) moved from No. 16 to No. 14 after taking down Louisville and SMU (13-5, 2-3 ACC), both on the road. Clemson (16-3, 6-0 ACC) jumped from No. 22 to No. 18 after defeating Boston College (8-10, 1-4 ACC) and Miami (15-3, 4-1 ACC) at home.

Honoring the life, legacy, and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/xkMvbM2CqI
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 19, 2026

Alongside North Carolina, Louisville fell from No. 20 to No. 23.

Next up for Duke is a home game against Wake Forest on Jan. 24.

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