The Duke Blue Devils narrowly missed out on the top five of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and the AP Poll on Monday, and college basketball analyst Andy Katz thinks the team deserves a little more credit.
Katz shared his updated Power 37 rankings through social media, and he slotted the Blue Devils in fifth behind the Kansas Jayhawks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and Connecticut Huskies.
Katz had some kind words for the team during the week as well, saying that the Blue Devils had championship hopes if returning starters Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor could provide veteran leadership.
“I don’t think there is a great team this season,” he said. “There’s a lot of good teams, and Duke is one of them.”
The Auburn Tigers jumped above the Blue Devils into the top five of most national rankings after upsetting Houston, but Katz kept Duke one spot above the SEC heavyweight.
The Kentucky Wildcats, the next team on Duke’s schedule, jumped all the way to 15th.