DURHAM, N.C. — The 2025–26 college basketball season is almost here, and the Blue Devils are right back where they belong — near the top of every national conversation. But make no mistake, this Duke team isn’t satisfied with rankings, recognition, or preseason praise. This group is built for something bigger.
As the latest Associated Press Top 25 dropped on Monday, Oct. 13, Duke checked in at No. 6 in the nation — a familiar but motivating position for a program that defines high expectations. Above the Blue Devils sit No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Florida, No. 4 UConn, and No. 5 St. John’s.
That’s elite company, but it also lights a fire under head coach Jon Scheyer’s team. The message from Durham? “We’re not chasing rankings — we’re chasing banners.”
A Gauntlet Awaits
If anyone thinks Duke’s path to another deep March run will be easy, think again. The 2025–26 schedule reads like a who’s who of college basketball heavyweights. The Blue Devils are expected to face nine teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 — a brutal test that could define their season early.
Among those matchups:
No. 3 Florida
No. 7 Michigan
No. 10 Texas Tech
No. 11 Louisville
No. 14 Arkansas
No. 18 Tennessee (exhibition)
No. 19 Kansas
No. 22 Michigan State
No. 25 North Carolina
It’s a schedule loaded with storylines, rivalries, and revenge opportunities — exactly the kind of challenge Duke thrives on. And if you know anything about this program, it’s that pressure doesn’t break them — it sharpens them.
Rankings from Around the Nation
While Duke’s AP ranking of No. 6 already places them firmly among college basketball’s elite, other national outlets see them slightly differently.
In ESPN’s preseason poll (released Oct. 7), Duke came in at No. 10 — their lowest of any major ranking. But interestingly, KenPom’s analytical model is far more bullish, putting Duke at No. 7 in its 2025–26 projections (released Oct. 12).
That blend of respect and skepticism has always fueled the Blue Devils’ identity. The national media knows they’re dangerous — but no one quite agrees on just how dangerous they’ll be.
A Team Built to Win Now
What makes this Duke team especially compelling is its mix of battle-tested veterans and blue-chip newcomers. The Blue Devils return six key players from last season’s remarkable 35–4 run — a campaign that included both the ACC regular-season and tournament championships, plus an 18th Final Four appearance in program history.
But Coach Scheyer didn’t stop there. For the second straight year, Duke landed the nation’s top-rated recruiting class, headlined by a blend of versatile scorers, elite defenders, and NBA-ready talent. Add in two impact transfers who bring maturity and toughness, and you get a roster that looks both deep and dangerous.
The chemistry? Already building. The hunger? Off the charts.
Setting the Stage: Exhibition Battles and Opening Tip
Before the real action tips off, Duke will fine-tune its rhythm with two exhibition matchups:
vs. UCF on Oct. 21 at Cameron Indoor
at Tennessee on Oct. 26 — a must-watch exhibition against a top-20 opponent
Then, the real show begins. The Blue Devils will officially open their season on Nov. 4 against Texas at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte — a neutral-site showdown that’s already generating national buzz.
A few days later, the legendary Cameron Indoor Stadium will roar back to life when Duke hosts Western Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 8.
From that moment on, every game will feel like a statement — and Duke’s players know it.
The Brotherhood’s Mission
This isn’t just another Duke team. It’s a group bonded by what the program calls “The Brotherhood” — a legacy that connects players across generations. From Christian Laettner to Kyrie Irving, from Zion Williamson to Paolo Banchero, Duke basketball has always thrived on continuity, pride, and purpose.
Coach Scheyer, a former Blue Devil champion himself, has carried that identity forward with a modern twist — emphasizing team-first play, defensive intensity, and relentless pursuit of improvement.
The result? A program that feels rejuvenated, reconnected, and ready to remind everyone why “Duke basketball” still carries a certain kind of weight.
The Bottom Line
The polls may say No. 6, but the message from Durham is clear: Duke believes it’s capable of much more. Between a roster full of talent, a coach with something to prove, and a fan base that lives and breathes every possession, the 2025–26 season could be one for the history books.
Because when Duke plays with that mix of swagger, unity, and unfinished business — there’s only one real question left:
Can anyone stop them?
