Quinn Cook and the rest of the Blue Devils will be on top of the AP Poll Monday. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY
With Butler's 88-86 overtime win over No. 1 Indiana on Saturday, Duke will be the No. 1 team in the polls when they are released Monday. It will be the first time since the week of Feb. 21, 2011 that the Blue Devils have claimed the top spot.
Coming into this year, Duke has been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll in 10 of the last 15 seasons. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski has had the No. 1-ranked team in the AP Poll for 104 weeks during his career, the highest number among active coaches. North Carolina's Roy Williams ranks second with 57 weeks at No. 1.
As Krzyzewski said after the Blue Devils most recent game against Temple, Duke can be beaten—they just haven't been beaten yet. During the past 15 years, Duke has lost during the regular season 14 times while ranked No. 1 (keep in mind, the Blue Devils have won many more times than they've lost while ranked No. 1). Seven of those losses have come to unranked teams, all in road games. Only one came at home, and that was against North Carolina. Check out the full list—I added postseason losses just to be thorough:
Duke losses while ranked No. 1 since 1997-98
Feb. 26, 2011 loss at Virginia Tech 77-63
Jan. 12, 2011 loss at Florida State 66-61
Jan. 28, 2009 loss at No. 6 Wake Forest 70-68
*March 23, 2006 loss vs. No. 18 LSU 62-54 (NCAA Sweet 16)
March 4, 2006 loss vs. No. 13 North Carolina 83-76
March 1, 2006 loss at Florida State 79-74
Jan. 21, 2006 loss at Georgetown 87-84
Feb. 15, 2004 loss at No. 21 N.C. State 78-74
Jan. 18, 2003 loss at No. 17 Maryland 87-72
*March 21, 2002 loss vs. Indiana 74-73 (NCAA Sweet 16)
Feb. 17, 2002 loss at No. 3 Maryland 87-73
Jan. 6, 2002 loss at Florida State 77-76
Dec. 21, 2000 loss vs. No. 3 Stanford 84-83 (neutral site)
*March 24, 2000 loss vs. No. 11 Florida 87-78 (NCAA Sweet 16)
*March 29, 1999 loss vs. No. 3 Connecticut 77-74 (NCAA Championship)
November 28, 1998 loss vs. No. 15 Cincinnati 77-75 (neutral site)
*March 8, 1998 loss vs. No. 4 North Carolina 83-68 (ACC Tournament)
Feb. 5, 1998 loss at No. 2 North Carolina 97-73
Dec. 13, 1997 loss at Michigan 81-73
Comments
Duke, UNC and State
Mon, 12/17/2012 - 16:11 — JPDOhioDuke has earned its #1 ranking. No doubt they are now the favorite to win the ACC.
I noticed that the Pack dropped out of the top 25 Coaches poll, replaced by Butler. I have no problem with Butler in the top 25, especially after they beat Indiana in OT with 3 starters fouled out.
My question is how North Carolina with an RPI of 43 (0-2 against the top 50) is ahead of State with an RPI of 13. Seems to be just one more example of reputation over performance. Maybe the Tar Heels will prove to be better than the Pack as the season wears on, but, as of today, they are not.
Right on JPD;
Mon, 12/17/2012 - 19:16 — PackFanManit seems some other polls/ratings that I have looked at---Kenpom, Sagarin, e.g.,--- have UNC ranked ahead of State; I don't get it either but your reasoning is likely correct.
Duke deserves the #1 ranking and I have no problem with Butler as well---that was a heckuva' game with Indiana---Butler just would not give up; very good team.
As you stated in a previous post, the Pack has a couple of tough games coming up; hopefully we can work our way back into the top 25, although, and I'm sure you will agree, it doesn't mean much this time of the year.
PS: Relax; Rest up; watch some hoops; tax time is just around the corner.