Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Stock Takes Big Hit From Loss to Pitt

Duke basketball had a brief return to the top 10 before falling five spots this week.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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For the second straight week, the UNC and Duke basketball rivals are the only two ACC representatives in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Hubert Davis' Tar Heels (15-3, 7-0 ACC), now riding an eight-game winning streak, rose from No. 4 to No. 3. But the Blue Devils (13-4, 4-2 ACC) dropped five notches and outside the top 10.

Duke, which began the second season under Jon Scheyer's command at No. 2 in the country, now ranks No. 12. That's where the team, currently No. 5 in the conference standings, sat before jumping five spots to No. 7 last Monday.

The Blue Devils' slide results from Saturday night's 80-76 defeat in Cameron Indoor Stadium at the hands of an unranked Pitt squad that entered the bout with a 1-5 record in ACC play. The loss was Duke's only outing last week, snapping its eight-game winning streak that dated back to early December.

RELATED: Jon Scheyer Apologizes to Blue Devil Fans for Allowing Pitt Party in Cameron

Not only is the number of ranked ACC teams at a season-low, but it's worth noting that NC State (13-5, 5-2 ACC) is the only one from the conference among the 21 others that received votes. And the Wolfpack are at the bottom of the list with only one vote.

NEXT DUKE BASKETBALL GAME: at unranked Louisville (6-12, 1-6 ACC), 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (ACCN)

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Duke Star Vows to Remember 'Disrespectful' Pitt Celebration

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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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