Duke basketball extends one record, loses another to Tar Heels

The UNC and Duke basketball teams begin the 2022-23 campaign in the top 10.

Matt Giles | Oct 18, 2022

Duke basketball halfcourt logo (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)

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Duke Blue Devils

As of the release of the AP Top 25 preseason poll on Monday, the Blue Devils have now ranked inside the top 10 at least once in 27 consecutive seasons, according to a tweet from the Duke basketball program's official stats account. That's the longest active streak in the country; Kansas' 17 in a row is next on that list.

Duke, which came in at No. 7 this go-round under first-year head coach Jon Scheyer, is one of three ACC teams in the preseason poll. The other two are Virginia at No. 18 and UNC at No. 1 overall.

On that note, the Tar Heels broke a tie with their rival Blue Devils. UNC has now sat atop the preseason poll a record 10 times, once more than Duke.

The Blue Devils, with only one starter and two scholarship players returning from a 2021-22 squad that reached the Final Four but lost to UNC, hold the program's annual Countdown to Craziness celebration on Friday night.

Then they play a closed-door scrimmage on the road against Houston on Oct. 29 before hosting Fayetteville State on Nov. 2 in their lone exhibition game. Duke's regular season gets underway on Nov. 7 in a home game against Jacksonville.

Only one team in the preseason poll, No. 5 Kansas, is a definite opponent on Duke's non-conference schedule. The Blue Devils and Jayhawks square off on Nov. 15 at the Champions Classic in Indianapolis.

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

Published Oct 18, 2022

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.