Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer Likely Disappointed as Blue Devils Fall Short in Latest 2025-26 College Basketball Preseason Rankings

Duke men’s basketball is a name synonymous with excellence, prestige, and expectation. The program that Mike Krzyzewski built into a national powerhouse has continued to compete at a high level under his successor, Jon Scheyer. But despite consistent NCAA Tournament appearances, strong recruiting classes, and a deep basketball tradition, the Blue Devils find themselves in a spot that will likely draw raised eyebrows in Durham.

The latest 2025-26 preseason rankings have been released, and the Blue Devils are noticeably lower than what many expected. For a program of Duke’s stature, every season carries championship aspirations, and this ranking seems to suggest that not everyone outside the program shares the same level of optimism about what’s to come. While rankings are just numbers on paper, they’re also a reflection of perception — and perception matters in college basketball.

Jon Scheyer, entering his fourth year as Duke’s head coach, has already proven he can lead one of the most high-pressure programs in college sports. He’s recruited well, shown growth in-game management, and earned the respect of the basketball community. But as any Duke fan or insider knows, expectations at Cameron Indoor Stadium are not measured in Sweet Sixteen berths or top-25 finishes. They’re measured in banners and Final Four runs. Anything short of that, and the scrutiny ramps up.

Which is why the latest national ranking for the Blue Devils heading into the 2025-26 season is particularly jarring. While Duke does make the top 25, the program is not even in the top 15, coming in somewhere around the fringe of that elite cut — depending on the poll you consult. For a team with Duke’s recruiting haul, the return of key pieces, and a head coach who has started finding his rhythm, this feels like a snub.

Duke’s fanbase isn’t shy when it comes to voicing displeasure, especially when their beloved Blue Devils are overlooked. And Scheyer, known for his calm demeanor and player-focused approach, may not publicly address the slight, but you can be sure he feels it. Coaches don’t forget how the outside world views their teams, especially when they believe those teams have the tools to do something special.

It’s worth noting what may have factored into Duke’s lower-than-expected ranking. There are several questions surrounding the roster — namely, how well will the incoming freshman class mesh with the returning talent? Last season saw the Blue Devils fall short in March once again, which continues to be a narrative under Scheyer’s leadership. That alone can impact how voters and analysts project a team heading into the next year. Until Duke proves it can survive and thrive under the weight of tournament pressure again, it will remain an elephant in the room.

Another contributing factor could be the level of competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The ACC is expected to be strong next year, with programs like North Carolina, Miami, and Virginia Tech reloading or bringing back experienced lineups. This inevitably raises the bar within the league. Duke may be projected as a top-three team in the ACC, but nationally, there’s more skepticism. It’s not necessarily about who Duke is but more about what others around them might become.

Yet, even if there are valid concerns about cohesion, leadership, or depth, it’s still surprising to see Duke placed below teams with less star power and pedigree. This speaks to a changing dynamic in college basketball, where experience — not raw talent — is beginning to outweigh traditional recruiting success in preseason analysis. Analysts are valuing seasoned teams with returning seniors more than ever. With the transfer portal becoming such a crucial element in team-building, programs that can blend age with skill have a clear advantage.

For Duke, this raises a big question: does the program need to pivot its approach? Scheyer has continued the Krzyzewski tradition of recruiting elite freshmen and leaning on young talent. But recent years have shown that having four or five five-star players doesn’t guarantee postseason success. Instead, it’s about fit, chemistry, and timing. Teams that bring back juniors and seniors with battle-tested resumes often outperform blue-blood programs stacked with one-and-done prospects. It’s a reality that has forced traditional powers to reconsider their strategies.

Still, it would be foolish to count out Duke. Even if national analysts are hedging their bets, history tells us the Blue Devils almost always find a way to stay relevant. They might use this slight as fuel, as motivation to silence critics and prove their doubters wrong. Scheyer is a proud Duke alum. He understands what the name on the front of the jersey means. And he’ll certainly use this perceived underestimation as a teaching tool and rallying cry in the locker room.

The returning core of the 2025-26 Duke team features a mix of second-year players expected to make leaps and upperclassmen who bring stability. The incoming freshmen, like many before them, will arrive with the pressure to contribute immediately. How quickly they adapt to the speed and physicality of college basketball will be critical. Development will matter. So too will chemistry. Scheyer’s ability to manage minutes, define roles, and keep egos in check will go a long way in determining how far this team can go.

There’s also the matter of leadership. In past Duke teams, vocal leaders like Grayson Allen, Tre Jones, or even Paolo Banchero emerged to guide younger teammates. Who will fill that void this year? Talent is never the issue at Duke. But leadership? That’s a more subtle element that can’t be found on stat sheets or highlight reels. It has to emerge organically — and quickly.

Defensively, Duke has room to improve. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance under Scheyer but haven’t consistently locked down opposing scorers, especially in late-game scenarios. Defense wins championships, as the saying goes, and if the Blue Devils are going to defy their preseason ranking, that end of the floor will need to become a strength rather than a liability.

On offense, the Blue Devils boast dynamic shot creators and strong interior play, but efficiency, ball movement, and shot selection must improve. At times last season, the offense stagnated against disciplined teams, particularly in the half-court. Having another year under Scheyer’s offensive system should help, especially as returning players become more comfortable and confident in their roles.

As always, Duke’s schedule will do them no favors — but that’s by design. Non-conference games against national contenders will test this group early. Those matchups, while brutal, also offer a chance to rewrite the preseason narrative quickly. A win against a top-five opponent in November can change perceptions overnight.

Of course, the program isn’t in crisis mode. Far from it. But in the hyper-competitive world of college basketball, perception can shape opportunity. A lower preseason ranking might affect seeding, spotlight, and storyline come March. Duke can’t afford to wait until the second half of the season to hit their stride. They’ll need urgency from Day 1.

There’s a deeper takeaway here as well: Duke is no longer automatically feared just because of its name. Teams no longer walk into Cameron Indoor feeling defeated before the tip. That aura, while still present, isn’t as intimidating as it once was. That shift may be subtle, but it’s real — and it’s something Scheyer must navigate carefully.

This could be the year he puts his full stamp on the program. The shadow of Coach K still lingers, though less with each passing season. But now, it’s about Jon Scheyer’s Duke. How he handles adversity, how he motivates this team, and how he counters external doubt will define the trajectory of his tenure more than any single game.

He doesn’t need to say much. The rankings speak for themselves. And for a program built on pride, tradition, and excellence, that message is loud and clear: Duke has something to prove. Jon Scheyer knows it. His players know it. And soon, the rest of the country might find out.

Because if there’s one thing Duke basketball has never lacked, it’s a hunger to silence doubters. And right now, they have more than enough fuel to ignite a statement season.