Duke Climbs to No. 2 in AP Top 25 as Auburn Holds Unanimous No. 1 Spot

DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke Blue Devils surged to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll, released Monday, marking their highest ranking since the 2023-24 preseason. Auburn retained its unanimous No. 1 spot, earning all 62 first-place votes after a dominant 17-1 start to the season.

Duke (14-2, 6-0 ACC) has won 12 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation, and is off to its best conference start since the 2007-08 season. The Blue Devils’ rise was bolstered by a victory over then-No. 2 Auburn in early December, a game that remains the Tigers’ only loss this season.

“Our team has shown incredible resilience and growth,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said. “The win over Auburn was a turning point, but we know there’s still a lot of basketball left to play.”

Auburn, meanwhile, has been unstoppable since its loss to Duke, securing key SEC victories and solidifying its position as the nation’s top team. The Tigers are the first unanimous No. 1 in the AP poll since UConn achieved the feat last season en route to a national championship.

The poll saw significant movement elsewhere, with Gonzaga, Georgia, Utah State, and Baylor dropping out of the rankings. St. John's, Missouri, West Virginia, and Louisville entered the Top 25, with Louisville making its first appearance since January 2021. The Cardinals (14-5) have won eight straight games, including victories over North Carolina, Clemson, and Pittsburgh.

“We’re playing with confidence and purpose,” Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey said. “This team has come a long way since the start of the season, and we’re excited to be back in the conversation.”

The SEC leads all conferences with eight ranked teams, including five in the top 10. The Big Ten follows with six ranked teams, while the Big 12 has five. The ACC, Big East, AAC, and Mountain West each have two or fewer teams in the poll.

Duke’s freshman standout Cooper Flagg has been a key factor in the team’s success, averaging 18.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. His 42-point performance in a win over Notre Dame last week highlighted his potential as one of the nation’s top players.

As the season progresses, the race for the top spot remains highly competitive, with Auburn and Duke leading the way. The Tigers will face a tough test against Kentucky this weekend, while Duke takes on Miami and Boston College in ACC play.