Duke basketball disrespected by experts despite slow start to season

Duke basketball is feeling some disrespect from college basketball analysts.

Yes, the Duke basketball team has only played five games, none since December 16, but the Blue Devils are being disrespected by the national media.

Duke (3-2, 1-0 ACC) has seen three games canceled because of COVID-19 outbreaks within the opponents’ program, and its most recent scheduled conference game was postponed because of the same reasoning.

However, despite uninspiring victories against Coppin State and Bellarmine and home losses to then-No. 8 Michigan State and No. 6 Illinois, the Blue Devils are not gathering any respect from bracketologists.

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Mike DeCourcy, the bracketologist from FOX Sports, pinned the Blue Devils as a No. 9 seed, the same seeding as North Carolina and lower than No. 2 Clemson, No. 4 Florida State, No. 6 Louisville, No. 7 Virginia Tech, and No. 8 Virginia.

Granted, this was the first NCAA Tournament bracket FOX Sports released, and no games after December 28 were taken into account, but the Blue Devils certainly seem better than a No. 9 seed.

The same can be said for ESPN and bracketologist Joe Lunardi, who pinned Duke as a No. 6 seed in his most recent bracket, released on December 29.

Duke basketball will rise in seeding as the season progresses

A No. 6 seed does not seem too far-fetched to imagine if Selection Sunday was this week, but the Blue Devils probably would be better suited with a No. 5 seed at the present time.

Given the strength of many programs this season, reaching the No. 1-line seems impossible at the moment for Duke, and a No. 2 seed might be a pipe dream, but there are many reasons to hope and expect a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament in March.

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No. 20 Duke will have another chance to add a resume-building victory against No. 18 Florida State with a road matchup set for Saturday, January 2 (8:00pm EST, ESPN2).

The NCAA Tournament will take place in a bubble in the Indianapolis region this season as Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 14.