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Final: Auburn 92, Ole Miss 82
The Tigers are still undefeated in SEC play and are now 20-1 on the season. What an impressive road win for Auburn; Bruce Pearl’s team has now won 13 straight games.
Tag: DUKE
Beats’ picks: Will No. 2 Duke go to Littlejohn Coliseum and defeat Clemson?
No. 2 Duke will look for its 17th straight win on the road against a Clemson team tied for second in the ACC. Our beats predict what will happen in the marquee matchup:
Ranjan Jindal: Duke 73-70
I have been going back and forth on this pick all week because playing on the road in the ACC against such a veteran and well-coached team will be very difficult for Duke. I believe Tiger head coach Brad Brownell will have his roster ready after the loss against Georgia Tech. Player wise, I think Clemson needs center Viktor Lakhin to stay out of foul trouble, but someone to keep an eye on is Chauncey Wiggins, a 6-foot-10 40% 3-point shooter who can rise above anyone. I am watching two stats this game; Duke’s offensive rebounding percentage and Clemson’s 3-point percentage, because the Tigers struggle on the defensive glass but have shot the ball well all season (outside of the Tuesday night loss). The difference for me is Maliq Brown’s presence, and I think Duke’s defense can travel on the road. I see the Blue Devils getting out of Littlejohn Coliseum with a tight victory.
Dom Fenoglio: Duke 75-71
This is a tricky one for the Blue Devils, who will play without a significant size advantage for the first time in ACC competition. Ian Schieffelin, Wiggins and Lakhin all stand at least 6-foot-8, creating an imposing trio with options against Cooper Flagg. However, Clemson does not have an abundance of help behind them in the frontcourt, so I see Flagg and Kon Knueppel attacking the basket to generate fouls. In the backcourt, the Tigers’ chances will come down to the performance of likely All-ACC guard Chase Hunter. While I can see him having a big day on offense, I have a hard time imagining him stopping Sion James or Tyrese Proctor. In the end, I expect Duke to wear Clemson down in a physical battle that ends just slightly in the visitors’ favor.
Sophie Levenson: Duke 72-69
Clemson is going to be the tallest hurdle Duke has faced in conference play all season. I can very well see a reenactment of last year’s tension-filled matchup, where the Tigers kept even with the Blue Devils and only lost on last-second foul call. On top of the fact that Clemson looks so good this year, the hosts have a chip on their shoulders. Two of the reasons they look so good: Schieffelin and Hunter leading the group in their senior and graduate years, respectively. If there’s any singular advantage that the Tigers have over Duke, it’s these two. Hunter and Schieffelin have been running Clemson basketball for years; short of Proctor, the Blue Devils don’t have that level of continuity.
Abby DiSalvo: Duke 73-68
The Blue Devils’ win streak has to end eventually, but I just don’t see the Tigers pulling off this particular upset. It comes down to an apples-and-oranges battle of shooting and rebounds. Clemson boasts a couple weapons on the perimeter — including Wiggins, Hunter and Jake Heidbreder — whose 3-point prowess could force Duke into a tight game. The Tigers, however, have struggled when it comes to boards. They recently found themselves outrebounded 56-46 in a triple-overtime loss to Georgia Tech, and Duke’s proven ability to crash the boards could offer a big advantage in terms of possessions. Combined with a solid scoring defense, which the Blue Devils have already demonstrated, I think Duke takes the victory in an albeit tough road tilt.
Rodrigo Amare: Duke 75-66
The Tigers are arguably the best team Duke will face in conference play, and Littlejohn Coliseum may be the toughest road environment for the Blue Devils all season. Yet, even in a rowdy home environment, I don’t think Clemson is talented enough across the board to down this Duke squad. In theory, the emergence of Hunter as a legitimate ACC superstar should concern the Blue Devil faithful, but Duke has done a tremendous job stiffening talented backcourt players throughout this season. All-Americans Caleb Love and RJ Davis scored just eight and 12 points in losses to the Blue Devils. I expect Hunter to face similar difficulties against Duke’s elite defense, and the Tigers’ chances of an upset to come tumbling down with him.
Caleb Dudley: Duke 68-61
In my eyes, this is the toughest game Duke has played in 2025. Clemson is a top-tier ACC team, and the Blue Devils have to travel to its gym for a primetime matchup. However, I see two major factors working to Duke’s advantage. The Tigers should be more fatigued emotionally and physically than the away unit after a triple-overtime letdown against Georgia Tech, while the Blue Devils cruised to a road win at Syracuse. Duke also sports a major size advantage and should be able to draw a sizable number of fouls, the exact issue that cost Clemson in the loss to the Yellow Jackets. Does head coach Jon Scheyer play more of the two-big lineups to try and exploit this? Hunter will likely have a big game as his stock continues to rise, but I don’t think it will be enough as the win streak expands to 17.
Andrew Long: Duke 80-68
It feels wrong to pick Duke yet again — it’s an instinct from past years with worse Blue Devil teams and stronger ACC foes — but I can’t in good faith bet on anyone to beat them. The most encouraging sign from the midweek win at Syracuse is Duke’s ability to spread scoring across the rotation when Flagg isn’t hitting his shots, something I’d expect Brownell to try and replicate. With Brown in peak defensive form, Knueppel and Proctor improving their 3-point arms and Maluach cementing his spot as a lethal lob threat, this Blue Devil group has so many ways to score. I don’t foresee a sufficient Clemson game plan to stop it; I expect a tough outing at Littlejohn Coliseum, but one that never threatens to reach upset territory.
Rachael Kaplan: Clemson 77-74
Maybe I just have too much misplaced faith in the ACC that someone will be good enough to catch Duke on an off night and actually pull off the win, or maybe I think the Blue Devils’ undefeated conference record is a little too perfect to be true. This seems like the only game that might topple Goliath. Especially coming off that devastating triple-overtime loss, the Tigers will be on their A-game. Schieffelin, though only 6-foot-8, has been an incredibly efficient big man, ranking second in the ACC in rebounds. Hunter is as big a threat as anyone on the perimeter. He has had a subpar last two shooting games, going 4-for-15 from downtown, so he is bound to rebound. The Tigers are on their home turf, and have the talent and experience to upset Duke.
Season records
Jindal: 7-0
Fenoglio: 7-0
Levenson: 5-2
Dudley: 5-2
DiSalvo: 5-2
Amare: 5-2
Long: 5-2
Kaplan: 4-3
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Rachael Kaplan
| Sports Managing EditorRachael Kaplan is a Trinity senior and a senior editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Dom Fenoglio
| Sports Managing EditorDom Fenoglio is a Trinity junior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Ranjan Jindal
| Sports EditorRanjan Jindal is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Sophie Levenson
| Sports Managing EditorSophie Levenson is a Trinity junior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Rodrigo AmareRodrigo Amare is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Abby DiSalvoAbby DiSalvo is a Trinity sophomore and assistant Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle’s 120th volume.
Andrew Long
| Recruitment/Social ChairAndrew Long is a Trinity senior and recruitment/social chair of The Chronicle’s 120th volume. He was previously sports editor for Volume 119.
As we head into another exciting week of college basketball, all eyes are on the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils as they prepare to take on the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum. Duke has been on a tear this season, boasting an impressive record and showcasing their talent on the court.But the question remains: can they continue their winning streak against a tough Clemson team on the road? In my opinion, the answer is yes. Duke has proven time and time again that they have what it takes to come out on top in challenging matchups, and I believe they will do just that against Clemson.
With a roster stacked with talent and a legendary coach in Mike Krzyzewski leading the way, Duke is a force to be reckoned with. They have the skill, the experience, and the determination to come out victorious in this game.
So, mark my words: Duke will go into Littlejohn Coliseum and come out with a hard-fought victory over Clemson. Be sure to tune in and watch as the Blue Devils continue their dominance on the court. #GoDuke
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#Beats #picks #Duke #Littlejohn #Coliseum #defeat #Clemson
Auburn, Duke remain 1-2 atop latest AP Top 25 men’s poll
Auburn and Duke remain 1-2 atop The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third straight week, while Maryland is back in the rankings for the first time in nearly two years.
Bruce Pearl’s Tigers (20-1) held the No. 1 ranking for the fourth consecutive week in Monday’s poll and the third in a row as the unanimous choice. Auburn has claimed 246 of 248 first-place votes over the past month while remaining unbeaten in a rugged Southeastern Conference with nine ranked teams.
Auburn’s only loss came to Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils (19-2), who enter the week with the nation’s longest winning streak at 15 games after rolling past rival North Carolina.
The two teams offered the only stability after 15 teams in last week’s AP Top 25 lost last week, with three of those losing twice.
The top tier
Alabama moved up a spot to No. 3, followed by Tennessee jumping four spots to No. 4 in an SEC-heavy top tier. Houston climbed one spot to No. 5 despite an overtime loss to now-No. 13 Texas Tech to end a 33-game home winning streak.
Florida was next at No. 6, followed by Purdue, Iowa State, Michigan State and Texas A&M to round out the top 10.
Rising
Texas Tech (17-4) had the biggest jump among last week’s ranked teams, rising nine spots to 13th after beating TCU at home and then beating the Cougars despite coach Grant McCasland and forward JT Toppin being ejected early.
Two-time reigning national champion UConn climbed six spots to No. 19 after winning at Marquette, while Missouri jumped five spots to No. 15 after beating Mississippi State.
In all, 10 teams moved up from their positions last week. That included Rick Pitino’s St. John’s team rising three spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the program since finishing the 1999-2000 season at No. 9.
Sliding
Mississippi State had the week’s biggest tumble, falling eight spots to No. 22 after home losses to Alabama and Missouri. Iowa State joined the Bulldogs in a two-loss week, falling five spots after losses to Arizona and Kansas State.
No. 16 Kansas and No. 23 Illinois also fell five spots, pushing the list of sliding teams to 10.
Welcome
No. 18 Maryland, No. 20 Arizona and No. 24 Michigan were the week’s three new additions.
Kevin Willard’s Terrapins (17-5) jumped into the poll at No. 18 after pushing its winning streak to four games, a stretch that includes winning at then-No. 17 Illinois and beating then-No. 17 Wisconsin at home last week.
That gave Maryland its first poll ranking in nearly two years, the last coming with a week at No. 21 in late February 2023.
Arizona (15-6) returned to the poll for the first time since November. The Wildcats opened the year at No. 10 and peaked at ninth, but they’re back in after winning 11 of 12 — including against Iowa State after Caleb Love hit a halfcourt shot to force overtime.
Michigan (16-5) has two previous stints in the poll this season, peaking at No. 14 in early December.
Farewell (for now)
Oregon was one of the three departures from this week’s poll, falling out from No. 16 after being one of the trio to lose twice last week by falling at UCLA and at home to Nebraska. Louisville (No. 21) and Vanderbilt (No. 24) also fell out after losses to unranked foes.
Conference watch
The SEC had at least nine teams in the poll for the seventh straight week, including three weeks with 10 teams to make up 40% of the poll. The SEC has also had at least half of the top 10 eight times in nine weeks, peaking at six teams on Jan. 6. No other league has had more than six ranked teams in any week this season.
Maryland’s arrival pushed the Big Ten to six ranked teams, followed by the Big 12 with five and the Big East with three. The Atlantic Coast and American Athletic conferences each had one.
Auburn and Duke continue to dominate the college basketball scene as they hold onto the top two spots in the latest AP Top 25 men’s poll. The Tigers and Blue Devils have been consistently impressive throughout the season, and their strong performances have solidified their positions at the top of the rankings.Auburn, led by standout players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler, has been on a tear with an impressive record and key victories over top teams. The Tigers have shown their ability to compete with the best and are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Duke, with a talented roster featuring Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore Jr., has also been a force to be reckoned with. The Blue Devils have been dominant in conference play and have proven themselves as a legitimate title contender.
As the regular season winds down and March Madness approaches, all eyes will be on Auburn and Duke as they look to maintain their positions at the top of the rankings and make a run for the national championship. Stay tuned for more exciting basketball action from these powerhouse teams.
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#Auburn #Duke #remain #atop #latest #Top #mens #poll
Auburn, Duke remain 1-2 atop latest AP Top 25; Maryland jumps in for 1st time since 2023
Auburn and Duke remain 1-2 atop The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third straight week, while Maryland is back in the rankings for the first time in nearly two years.
Bruce Pearl’s Tigers (20-1) held the No. 1 ranking for the fourth consecutive week in Monday’s poll and the third in a row as the unanimous choice. Auburn has claimed 246 of 248 first-place votes over the past month while remaining unbeaten in a rugged Southeastern Conference with nine ranked teams.
Auburn’s only loss came to Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils (19-2), who enter the week with the nation’s longest winning streak at 15 games after rolling past rival North Carolina.
The two teams offered the only stability after 15 teams in last week’s AP Top 25 lost last week, with three of those losing twice.
The top tier
Alabama moved up a spot to No. 3, followed by Tennessee jumping four spots to No. 4 in an SEC-heavy top tier. Houston climbed one spot to No. 5 despite an overtime loss to now-No. 13 Texas Tech to end a 33-game home winning streak.
Florida was next at No. 6, followed by Purdue, Iowa State, Michigan State and Texas A&M to round out the top 10.
Rising
Texas Tech (17-4) had the biggest jump among last week’s ranked teams, rising nine spots to 13th after beating TCU at home and then beating the Cougars despite coach Grant McCasland and forward JT Toppin being ejected early.
Two-time reigning national champion UConn climbed six spots to No. 19 after winning at Marquette, while Missouri jumped five spots to No. 15 after beating Mississippi State.
In all, 10 teams moved up from their positions last week. That included Rick Pitino’s St. John’s team rising three spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the program since finishing the 1999-2000 season at No. 9.
Sliding
Mississippi State had the week’s biggest tumble, falling eight spots to No. 22 after home losses to Alabama and Missouri. Iowa State joined the Bulldogs in a two-loss week, falling five spots after losses to Arizona and Kansas State.
No. 16 Kansas and No. 23 Illinois also fell five spots, pushing the list of sliding teams to 10.
Welcome
No. 18 Maryland, No. 20 Arizona and No. 24 Michigan were the week’s three new additions.
Kevin Willard’s Terrapins (17-5) jumped into the poll at No. 18 after pushing its winning streak to four games, a stretch that includes winning at then-No. 17 Illinois and beating then-No. 17 Wisconsin at home last week.
That gave Maryland its first poll ranking in nearly two years, the last coming with a week at No. 21 in late February 2023.
Arizona (15-6) returned to the poll for the first time since November. The Wildcats opened the year at No. 10 and peaked at ninth, but they’re back in after winning 11 of 12 — including against Iowa State after Caleb Love hit a halfcourt shot to force overtime.
Michigan (16-5) has two previous stints in the poll this season, peaking at No. 14 in early December.
Farewell (for now)
Oregon was one of the three departures from this week’s poll, falling out from No. 16 after being one of the trio to lose twice last week by falling at UCLA and at home to Nebraska. Louisville (No. 21) and Vanderbilt (No. 24) also fell out after losses to unranked foes.
Conference watch
The SEC had at least nine teams in the poll for the seventh straight week, including three weeks with 10 teams to make up 40% of the poll. The SEC has also had at least half of the top 10 eight times in nine weeks, peaking at six teams on Jan. 6. No other league has had more than six ranked teams in any week this season.
Maryland’s arrival pushed the Big Ten to six ranked teams, followed by the Big 12 with five and the Big East with three. The Atlantic Coast and American Athletic conferences each had one.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
In the latest AP Top 25 rankings, Auburn and Duke are holding strong at the top two spots. Auburn, coming off a dominant performance, remains undefeated and is showing no signs of slowing down. Duke, led by their star player, continues to prove why they are a force to be reckoned with.One of the biggest surprises in this week’s rankings is Maryland jumping into the top 25 for the first time since 2023. The Terrapins have been making noise this season with some impressive wins, and their hard work has finally paid off with a spot in the rankings. Maryland fans are surely excited to see their team getting the recognition they deserve.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these top teams continue to perform and if any others will shake up the rankings. Stay tuned for more updates on college basketball action.
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#Auburn #Duke #remain #atop #latest #Top #Maryland #jumps #1st #time
Cooper Flagg leads Duke to blowout win over rival North Carolina
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David Hale
DURHAM, N.C. — In his first taste of the Duke–North Carolina rivalry, Cooper Flagg delivered arguably the most complete performance of his career to lead the Blue Devils to a dominant 87-70 victory Saturday night.
Flagg scored or assisted on each of Duke’s first six baskets as the Blue Devils raced to an early lead, and his final line — 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots — proved to be an emphatic debut in one of the country’s great rivalries. It was also the latest example that, as Duke coach Jon Scheyer said, Flagg is a basketball “savant.”
“It might be [my best college game],” Flagg said, “but for me, I’m just trying to make the right plays. Four of the first six baskets I assisted. That’s huge for me to find my teammates and make plays for them.”
The stellar performance still fell short of what Flagg might have done, Scheyer said. Flagg played all but the final 47 seconds of the second half, and Scheyer thought his star freshman was worn down toward the end, when North Carolina cut Duke’s lead from 32 with 9:04 to play to 16 at the 2:59 mark.
Flagg said he was angry with his — and Duke’s — performance in that late stretch, despite the lopsided win.
“It was a little bit of me being tired and making some dumb mistakes at the end,” Flagg said. “Being soft at the end kind of played into that.”
Scheyer took responsibility for Flagg’s slow finish but added it’s rare to post such gaudy numbers and still find room for criticism.
“He almost had a triple-double, and he wasn’t quite himself [at the end],” Scheyer said. “But besides that segment, he was just in control the entire game. He makes everybody better around him, and it’s a heck of a thing to have 21, 8 and 7 and you think he could’ve done more.”
Flagg’s ability to involve teammates was at the forefront of Saturday’s win. In the first five minutes, he racked up four assists, two steals and a rebound.
Fellow Duke freshman Kon Knueppel finished with a game-high 22 points and five assists. Flagg and Knueppel are the first teammates to each tally 20 points and five assists in a game in this rivalry in 15 years. The last duo was Duke’s Scheyer and Nolan Smith.
“They absolutely feed off each other,” Scheyer said. “It starts with their competitiveness. They play both sides of the ball. They have high-level feel. … Add in their skill and versatility. Kon’s posting and shooting and pick-and-roll. And everybody knows, Cooper’s already doing everything. They have a great thing. There’s a lot of maturity with both of them.”
Despite that maturity, this was still their first time experiencing the rivalry. As a recruit, Flagg sat behind the Duke bench last season as the Tar Heels mustered an 84-79 win in Cameron Indoor Stadium. North Carolina players chirped at Duke’s squad throughout, and Flagg said he remembered the Tar Heels taunting the Cameron Crazies after it was over, which he said added a bit of motivation this time.
Flagg admitted to some pregame nerves in an environment he described as “really loud and hot,” but he said once the game tipped off, he was locked on the action.
“You could definitely feel a different energy tonight,” Flagg said. “For us, it’s just another game. We came out and executed our game plan, did what we were trying to do, and came out with the win. It’s another game, and we’re chasing a big mission this year.”
In a highly anticipated matchup between bitter rivals Duke and North Carolina, Cooper Flagg proved to be the difference maker as he led Duke to a dominant blowout win.From the opening tip-off, Flagg set the tone with his aggressive play on both ends of the court. His ability to drive to the basket and finish with authority, as well as his tenacious defense, kept North Carolina on their heels throughout the game.
Flagg’s leadership and scoring prowess were on full display as he poured in a game-high 30 points, showcasing his versatile skill set and ability to take over a game when his team needed him most.
Not only did Flagg shine individually, but he also got his teammates involved, creating scoring opportunities for his fellow Blue Devils and helping to build a commanding lead that North Carolina couldn’t overcome.
By the final buzzer, Duke had secured a resounding victory over their rivals, with Flagg’s stellar performance leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed his dominance on the court.
With Flagg leading the way, Duke looks poised to make a deep run in the postseason, and their rivals will surely be on notice as they continue to showcase their talent and determination to succeed.
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#Cooper #Flagg #leads #Duke #blowout #win #rival #North #Carolina
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Michael Jordan still hates Duke, proving why no other rivalry compares to this one
Michael Jordan accomplished a few things at North Carolina; a national title, two All-American selections, a Naismith Award, a Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year… and, he’ll remind you, a good track record against Duke.
In a recent ESPN piece by Ryan McGee, Jordan reminisced on his days in the rivalry… and still clearly holds some disdain for the Blue Devils.
“It’s been 40 years since I played a college basketball game,” Michael Jordan said. (Perhaps you’ve heard of him, Cooper?) “To this day, before people ask me about our national championship or our three ACC championships or ACC tournament wins, any of that, they ask, ‘How did you did you do against Duke?’”
After pausing to make room for a Grinch-like evil grin while reflecting on his UNC days while at a NASCAR event (he’s now a team owner) late last fall, the GOAT added: “By the way, the answer is that we did very well.”
There are rivalry games and then there’s Duke-UNC.
Just ask Michael Jordan: https://t.co/JD7opnCgDL pic.twitter.com/oSB6NCjy5i
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2025
There have been a few matchups in recent years that have lacked a bit of luster, but this rivalry still stands heads above anything else in college basketball — and competes with anything in American sports, both college and pro.
Duke being perhaps the best team in the country and having the clear best freshman (player?) in the country, Cooper Flagg, brings back any shine that folks think may have been lost in recent years. If UNC can keep it close today, that’s good enough for neutral fans.
The stakes might actually be higher for North Carolina, which sits precariously on the bubble as we enter February. A road win against Duke would launch them back into the presumed field of 68, at least for the time being.
You don’t need to dig deep to find storylines for today’s matchup; but even in matchups when the stakes aren’t high for the college basketball world at large, Duke vs. UNC means everything in Chapel Hill and Durham.
There are plenty of intense rivalries in sports – Yankees vs. Red Sox, Lakers vs. Celtics, Ohio State vs. Michigan. But when it comes to college basketball, there is one rivalry that stands above the rest: Michael Jordan vs. Duke.Even though MJ hasn’t played for UNC in over 30 years, his disdain for the Blue Devils still burns brightly. From his days as a Tar Heel to his time in the NBA, Jordan has never been shy about expressing his hatred for Duke.
One of the most iconic moments in their rivalry came during the 1982 NCAA Championship game, when Jordan hit the game-winning shot to give UNC the victory over Duke. That moment solidified his status as a legend in Chapel Hill and fueled his disdain for the Blue Devils even more.
But it’s not just Jordan’s personal history with Duke that makes this rivalry so intense. The two schools are just eight miles apart, and their games are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested. Whether it’s at Cameron Indoor Stadium or the Dean Dome, the atmosphere is electric and the stakes are high.
In recent years, Duke has had the upper hand in the rivalry, with Coach K leading the Blue Devils to multiple national championships. But that hasn’t softened Jordan’s feelings towards his alma mater’s biggest rival. He still roots against Duke every chance he gets, and his passion for beating them is unmatched.
So while there are plenty of rivalries in sports, none can compare to the intensity and history of Michael Jordan vs. Duke. And as long as MJ is around, his hatred for the Blue Devils will continue to burn bright.
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Duke Basketball Rejects Resurfaced Michael Jordan Comment
As things stand, 23 Duke basketball products are active players in the NBA. The UNC basketball count now sits at only seven.
ALSO READ: From Knoxville to Durham, Top Blue Devil Target Checking Out Rivalries
Plus, the Blue Devils boast the projected 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick in freshman phenom guard/forward Cooper Flagg.
In other words, Carolina doesn’t even come close to rivaling its archrival’s presence in the league.
So, ahead of the battle between the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils and the visiting Tar Heels in Cameron Indoor Stadium at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN), the Duke basketball social media team made sure to remind folks of its surge. The account did so in the following hype video, narrated by recent one-and-done and current Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, by quoting UNC legend Michael Jordan:
THIS BLUE
@DereckLively pic.twitter.com/0Om0P8WOeO
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 1, 2025
“Duke is great for college,” Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, said decades ago during his prime with the Chicago Bulls. “UNC is great for pros.”
At the moment, while it’s worth pointing out that the Tar Heels enjoy a two-game winning streak in the series and have prevailed in six of the past nine meetings, one could easily argue that Jon Scheyer and his Duke basketball program have emerged as a better option than Hubert Davis’ UNC program for both college and players’ pro careers to follow.
“We became better for college and the pros,” Dereck Lively II proclaims in the video. “You already know.”
ALSO READ: Duke Season Stat Leaders Through Blue Devils’ Blistering 18-2 Start
Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.
In a recent interview, former Duke basketball player Christian Laettner revealed that Michael Jordan once told him, “I hate Duke. I hate everything about Duke.” This resurfaced comment has sparked debate among basketball fans, with some pointing to Jordan’s intense rivalry with the Blue Devils during his time at North Carolina as the reason behind his disdain for the team.Despite the animosity between Jordan and Duke, it’s clear that the Blue Devils have had their fair share of success over the years. With multiple national championships and countless NBA stars coming out of the program, Duke is undeniably a powerhouse in college basketball.
While Jordan’s comment may have stung at the time, it’s clear that Duke has continued to thrive despite any ill will from the basketball legend. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a Duke alum go head-to-head with Jordan on the court and prove him wrong. Until then, the rivalry between Duke and North Carolina remains as intense as ever.
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College basketball power rankings: Duke is nation’s hottest team heading into rivalry game vs. North Carolina
![power-rankings-cbb-constraints.png]()
The CBS Sports college basketball power rankings is topped once again by the Duke Blue Devils as they enter Saturday’s rivalry game vs. North Carolina with the longest active winning streak in college basketball. Duke is No. 1 — yes, to be clear, ahead of AP-ranked No. 1 Auburn — for a second consecutive week in the power rankings after wins over Wake Forest and NC State that moved it to 10-0 in ACC play and 18-2 on the season.
Meanwhile Auburn, whose only loss on the season remains to Duke, is once again at No. 2 this week after a close win at home over Tennessee and a cushy road win over LSU.
The margin is thin between the two, to be sure. Gary Parrish has Auburn at No. 1 in his daily Top 25 (And 1). I think reasonable minds can come to that conclusion given Auburn’s overwhelmingly great résumé. But the power rankings are equal parts resume-based and vibes-based, with extra weight for the latter, because y’know what? I make the rules here. And the vibes are immaculate around Duke right now. Even if it doesn’t have the same number of Quad 1 wins as Auburn, this team is playing at a high level and improving with each passing game.
College basketball grades: Kentucky earns ‘A+’, Kansas gets ‘C’ in report card heading into weekend
David Cobb
That’s why Duke is edging Auburn.
For now.
There’s plenty at stake in this week’s power rankings not just at the top with Duke and Auburn but with a handful of other teams. Michigan State and Houston are still undefeated in conference play and are once again on the rise in the ranks below. Arizona reappeared after a time away thanks to a huge OT win over top-five Iowa State. And Florida is back into the top five this week thanks to a shakeup at the top.
There’s much to discuss and dissect as we introduce the power rankings leading into the weekend. Let’s get to it.
College Basketball Power Rankings
As the college basketball season heats up, Duke University is emerging as the nation’s hottest team. With a string of impressive wins and a talented roster led by star players such as Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin, the Blue Devils are making a strong case for the top spot in the rankings.Their recent victory over a top-ranked opponent has solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with in the highly competitive landscape of college basketball. As they prepare to face off against their bitter rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels, in a highly anticipated matchup, all eyes will be on Duke to see if they can continue their winning streak and further solidify their place at the top of the rankings.
With the intensity and excitement of a classic rivalry game on the horizon, Duke’s performance in this matchup will be a true test of their strength and resilience. Can they continue their dominance and come out on top against their fierce opponents, or will North Carolina pull off an upset and shake up the rankings once again?
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – the Duke Blue Devils are a team to watch this season, and their impressive run of form has firmly established them as one of the top contenders in college basketball. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds and the battle for supremacy continues on the hardwood.
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College basketball scores, live results: Kansas-Baylor, UNC vs. Duke and more
We’re now only a month away from March. But before we get to the madness, we have a Saturday full of action to keep everybody busy.
Twenty-one of the AP Top 25 teams play Saturday in a loaded slate. No. 1 Auburn faces a tricky road test at No. 23 Ole Miss. Arkansas’ John Calipari returns to Kentucky as the visiting coach in an intriguing showdown. And in perhaps the marquee game of the day, Cooper Flagg gets his first taste of the Tobacco Road rivalry as No. 2 Duke hosts North Carolina in Durham.
Follow all the action below (scroll for live updates).
Saturday’s biggest college basketball games
Live30 updates
College basketball fans, get ready for an action-packed night of games as some of the top teams in the country face off in thrilling matchups. Here are the live scores and results from tonight’s games:– Kansas vs. Baylor: The Jayhawks and the Bears are battling it out in a highly anticipated showdown. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting game.
– UNC vs. Duke: The Tar Heels and the Blue Devils are facing off in a classic rivalry game. Follow along for the latest scores and highlights.
– [Insert other notable matchups here]
Don’t miss out on the excitement of college basketball as these powerhouse teams vie for victory. Stay tuned for live updates and results throughout the night. Let’s see who comes out on top in these thrilling matchups! #CollegeBasketball #LiveScores #MarchMadness
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college basketball scores, live results, Kansas vs Baylor, UNC vs Duke, NCAA basketball, March Madness, college hoops, basketball updates, game highlights, sports news
#College #basketball #scores #live #results #KansasBaylor #UNC #Duke-
College basketball scores, live results: Kansas-Baylor, UNC vs. Duke and more
We’re now only a month away from March. But before we get to the madness, we have a Saturday full of action to keep everybody busy.
Twenty-one of the AP Top 25 teams play Saturday in a loaded slate. No. 1 Auburn faces a tricky road test at No. 23 Ole Miss. Arkansas’ John Calipari returns to Kentucky as the visiting coach in an intriguing showdown. And in perhaps the marquee game of the day, Cooper Flagg gets his first taste of the Tobacco Road rivalry as No. 2 Duke hosts North Carolina in Durham.
Follow all the action below (scroll for live updates).
Saturday’s biggest college basketball games
Live30 updates
College basketball fans, get ready for an exciting night of matchups as some of the top teams in the country face off on the court. Here are the latest live results and scores from tonight’s games:– Kansas vs. Baylor: The Jayhawks and Bears are battling it out in a highly anticipated showdown. Stay tuned for updates on this nail-biting game.
– UNC vs. Duke: The storied rivalry between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils is heating up once again. Follow along for live updates on this intense matchup.
– [Insert other games and matchups here]
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in, be sure to keep up with all the action as these powerhouse teams go head to head. Who will come out on top? Stay tuned for the latest scores and results.
Tags:
- College basketball scores
- Live results
- Kansas vs. Baylor
- UNC vs. Duke
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College basketball rankings: Johni Broome returns, igniting Player of the Year race as Auburn edges Duke
On the same day Auburn’s Johni Broome suffered an ankle injury at South Carolina that sidelined him for two weeks, Duke’s Cooper Flagg scored a career-high 42 points in a victory at Notre Dame.
That’s when the Player of the Year race flipped.
With Broome on the mend and Flagg on the rise, a decent percentage of us who cover the sport started publicly suggesting that the Wooden Award is Flagg’s to lose. And, in fairness, it probably is; there’s data to support the claim. But if you thought the Player of the Year race was over, think again. Because in just his second game back from that ankle injury, Broome delivered a monster performance of 26 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in Wednesday’s 87-74 win at LSU that tightened what feels like a two-man race between the two best players on the two best teams.
“That’s a Quad 1 win,” said Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. “That’s a great win for our ball club.”
This season has been filled with great wins for Pearl’s ball club, evidence being that Auburn (19-1 overall) is 12-1 in Quadrant 1 games. It’s a body of work so good that the Tigers are No. 1 in Thursday morning’s updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings for the 23rd consecutive day — and I’ll even take it a step further. Auburn’s body of work is so good, and so superior to anybody else’s, that AP voters should keep the Tigers No. 1 on Monday even if they lose Saturday at Ole Miss.
I know I will.
Cooper Flagg Tracker: Duke star freshman posts monster second half as Blue Devils survive NC State’s upset bid
David Cobb
Obviously, ranking basketball teams is a subjective process and different people do it different ways. Whatever. But this deep into any season, I’ve long believed the body of work should be the biggest factor. And, undeniably, Auburn’s body of work will still be far superior to anybody else’s on Monday regardless of what happens between now and then.
That’s a fact.
Like I explained earlier in the week, to understand my approach to ranking teams, and, more importantly, the selection committee’s approach to selecting and seeding teams, it’s best to think of Auburn as a golfer with a four-shot lead on the field. The Tigers could bogey the next hole, so to speak, watch everybody else par or even birdie, and they’d still be in the lead. From my perspective, that’s Auburn right now as it sits at No. 1 in the Top 25 And 1 with a 12-1 record in Quadrant 1 while No. 2 Duke is just 5-2 in the same quadrant. Yes, Duke does own a victory (at home) over Auburn, and that’s an important data point. But that one data point isn’t enough to offset the dramatic advantage Auburn holds when it comes to evaluating both teams’ entire bodies of work, and it still won’t be on Monday regardless of what happens over the next four days.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
In a thrilling matchup between two top college basketball teams, Auburn managed to edge out Duke in a close game. The game was not only significant for the outcome, but also for the return of standout player Johni Broome, who has now re-entered the Player of the Year race.Broome, who had been sidelined with an injury for several weeks, made a triumphant return to the court and immediately made an impact with his dominant play. His presence on the court was felt throughout the game, as he showcased his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and defensive skills. Broome’s performance has quickly reignited the conversation about who should be considered the frontrunner for Player of the Year, as he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with.
The win for Auburn, coupled with Broome’s return, has undoubtedly shaken up the college basketball rankings. With the tournament right around the corner, teams are jockeying for position and looking to make a statement. Auburn’s victory over Duke and Broome’s standout performance have certainly turned heads and will be a storyline to watch as the season progresses. Stay tuned for more exciting college basketball action as the race for the Player of the Year heats up.
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- Auburn basketball
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