EvanMiya, the popular college basketball analytics site, released its 2024-25 preseason projections on Wednesday, and the math thinks the Duke Blue Devils are the third-best teams in the country.
The Blue Devils bring back only two starters from last year’s Elite Eight run, but six top-40 freshmen and three top-tier transfers ensure that head coach Jon Scheyer can work with one of the most talented rosters in the country. Seven different Duke players finished within the top 100 of ESPN’s 2025 NBA draft prospect rankings, including presumed No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
The Blue Devils begin the year as the third-ranked offense and the 10th-ranked defense, one of four programs to start the season within the top 10 in both categories (Houston Cougars, Auburn Tigers, and Kansas Jayhawks).
EvanMiya does consider Duke the team to beat in the ACC. The North Carolina Tar Heels, last year’s conference champion, only finished 14th in the preseason projections. The next-highest ACC team, Wake Forest, didn’t show up until the 36th spot.
CBB preseason projections are live at https://t.co/cegyfz96ax!
You'll find:
🏀 Team and player projections
đź’Ş MVP and Most Indispensable player rankings
⌛️ Some new tools that will be released soonHere are the top 10 teams and players: pic.twitter.com/jPAfULjKcv
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) October 9, 2024
Duke did finish 250th in adjusted tempo, which returning starters Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster said will be a point of emphasis this season. The Blue Devils operated a little more slowly in 2023-24, but thanks to the athleticism of Flagg and other new additions, Scheyer will want to push the pace a little more.