Defending Champs Duke Out Of AP Poll For First Time In 8 Years

For the first time in over 8 years, the defending champion Duke Blue Devils are not present in the AP men’s college basketball poll, after 167 consecutive appearances.

The Blue Devils lost 69-80 at the Miami Hurricanes last Monday in Coral Gables to fall to 15-6 on the year. The loss was nothing new for Duke as they have lost 4 of their last 5 games, the other losses coming at Clemson and two home games against Notre Dame and Syracuse.

The record for most consecutive appearances in the AP Poll is 221 held by John Wooden’s UCLA teams from 1966-80, so the Blue Devils still had a lot of work ahead of them to match that feat.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski will look to get the Blue Devils back on track tonight as they are in Atlanta to face off against Georgia Tech.

Article by Nick Vigliotti