Duke basketball seeing mixed reviews in way-too-early rankings

The Duke basketball program is receiving mixed reviews in very early preseason rankings. 

As the unprecedented 2020-21 college basketball season is officially in the books, everyone’s attention turns to the 2021-22 season as the Duke basketball program is receiving mixed feedback in various preseason polls.

The Blue Devils are coming off their worst season in decades, missing the NCAA Tournament and needing two victories in the ACC Tournament to finish with a record over .500 on the season.

However, Mike Krzyzewski’s squad never truly got the chance to earn an at-large bid into the Big Dance after a positive COVID-19 test disqualified the Blue Devils from the postseason prior to a quarterfinal matchup in Greensboro.

Duke has already seen the departures of Jaemyn Brakefield, Jordan Goldwire, Patrick Tape, and DJ Steward while also awaiting the NBA Draft decision of sophomore standout Matthew Hurt.

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Another star-studded recruiting class will also be entering Durham next season with the likes of Paolo Banchero, Adrian Griffin Jr., and Trevor Keels while Duke is still in the hunt for five-star Patrick Baldwin Jr.

Baldwin Jr. appears likely to land at Milwaukee as his father is the head coach there. But the Blue Devils recently made the Top-8 for Furman transfer Noah Gurley, who will be announcing his college decision on Sunday afternoon.

Regardless, Duke will be looking for a bounceback season in 2021-22.

Where Duke basketball lands in way-too-early preseason polls.

According to USA Today, the Blue Devils land at No. 2 in its early Top-25 rankings, but the outlet is banking on the return of Matthew Hurt and comparing the sophomore to Duke legend Christian Laettner, which is head-scratching, to say the least.

Jeff Goodman of Stadium pins Duke at No. 7 while Sports Illustrated drops the five-time National Champions at No. 3 in its poll.

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ESPN is one of the most pessimistic outlets on the 2021-22 version of the Blue Devils as the World Wide Leader slots Duke at No. 13, and Seth Davis of The Athletic pegs Duke at No. 5 in his preseason poll.

There is still a lot to be determined this offseason, but expectations are high once again in Durham as the Duke Blue Devils look for their sixth National Championship.