There’s a new sheriff in the ACC, at least according to the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll released on Monday.
The Blue Devils crept up one spot to seventh in the newest rankings and, combined with North Carolina dropping four spots down to ninth, that means Duke is now the highest-ranked team in the conference.
Duke has won 15 of its past 17 games after a Saturday victory over Florida State which featured 35 points from freshman Jared McCain.
The first-year guard’s emergence has been a big factor in the Blue Devils’ surge up national rankings. In his past 17 games, the former five-star recruit has scored 20 or more points seven times and recorded three double-doubles.
The Blue Devils also vaulted past Marquette and Kansas to move within the top seven in the coaches poll.
The two North Carolina rivals were shockingly the only ACC schools included. Virginia and Clemson both recently cracked the top 25, but both remained in the “Receiving Votes” category this week. The Cavaliers were the second-highest team left out.