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UNC Basketball Overtakes Duke as Highest-Ranked ACC Squad

The UNC basketball team didn't even have to jump to leapfrog Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis versus Duke
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis versus Duke / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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Despite a 107-55 blowout win over the American Eagles in the Dean E. Smith Center on Friday night, Hubert Davis' fourth UNC basketball squad dropped a spot to No. 12 in this week's USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

ALSO READ: Top UNC Moments From Lopsided Victory Over Eagles

However, the Tar Heels (2-1, 0-0 ACC) stayed put at No. 10 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll released on Monday afternoon. In doing so, UNC became the highest-ranked ACC program after checking in a few notches below the archrival Duke Blue Devils since the preseason.

Duke, the projected ACC regular season champs in the eyes of the media, fell six spots to No. 12 in this week's AP Top 25 in light of Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils (3-1, 0-0 ACC) losing to the now-No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats, 77-72, at the Champions Classic in Atlanta's State Farm Arena on Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils dropped from No. 6 to No. 10 in the Coaches Poll.

UNC and Duke are the only ranked teams from the conference. That's been the case in both polls since the preseason.

But three ACC programs are among the 24 unranked squads receiving votes in this week's AP Top 25. They are the Miami Hurricanes (10 points), Pitt Panthers (nine), and Clemson Tigers (two).

ALSO READ: Explosive UNC Signee Posterizes Opponent at Prep Showcase

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more on the 2024-25 UNC basketball team and other Tar Heel news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, 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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