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Duke rises to No. 2 in Associated Press Top-25 Poll heading into ACC play

By Kevin Connelly

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 28: Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils blocks a shot by Tamenang Choh #25 of the Brown Bears during the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 75-50. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 28: Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils blocks a shot by Tamenang Choh #25 of the Brown Bears during the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 75-50. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Duke Basketball team jumped in the latest Associated Press Top-25 Poll before heading into ACC play on Tuesday evening.

It was an interesting non-conference slate of games for the Duke Blue Devils this season with some great wins but one head-scratching and confusing loss.

The Blue Devils defeated the Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan State Spartans away from Cameron Indoor Stadium but then lost to Stephen F. Austin at home, however, despite starting the season as the Associated Press Preseason No. 4 team, Duke will head into ACC play at No. 2 in the AP Poll.

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After coming off its Christmas break, Duke was able to defeat the Brown Bears on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor to improve its record to 11-1. The Blue Devils are 1-0 in the ACC after defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies on the road back on December 6.

In its last two games, Duke has been without sophomore point guard Tre Jones who has been dealing with a foot sprain.

Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski explained that sitting Jones has been precautionary and the plan is for the Apple Valley, Minnesota native to play on Tuesday night with no restrictions.

Jordan Goldwire has been starting in Jones’ place and has continued to lead the offense and defense without any issues.

With Tre Jones back in the fold soon, Duke will try and continue its momentum into conference play.

Duke only sits behind the Gonzaga Bulldogs who remain at No. 1 in the AP Poll and that might not change considering the completion the Bulldogs play in the West Coast Conference.

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The Kansas Jayhawks, Oregon Ducks, and Ohio State Buckeyes round out the Top-5 while the only other ACC teams ranked are the Louisville Cardinals at No. 7, Florida State Seminoles at No. 18, and Virginia Cavaliers at No. 19.

The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils will host the Boston College Eagles on Tuesday, December 31 at 6:00pm EST and then travel to Miami to face the Hurricanes on Saturday, January 4 with an 8:00pm EST tipoff scheduled.

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