Duke basketball drops in ESPN’s preseason top 25 following the NBA draft deadline.

After Duke basketball’s season came to a heartbreaking end in the Final Four with a loss to Houston, the Blue Devils’ roster looks to be significantly different in 2025-26.

Gone are star freshmen Cooper Flagg, the projected first-overall pick, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach (both of which are also projected lottery picks) as well as key veterans Tyrese Proctor and Sion James. With them goes quite a bit of production coach Jon Scheyer must replace.

The cupboard in Durham is far from bare, however. While the Blue Devils don’t return a significant amount of production, they’ve retooled this offseason with the additions of the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2025 class, Cameron Boozer, as well as fellow five-star Nikolas Khamenia.

Still, there are quite a few questions. While Duke got a big piece back last month when former five-star Isaiah Evans withdrew from the draft to return for his sophomore year, it also suffered a fairly significant blow at the deadline to withdraw from the 2025 NBA draft as Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, who had committed to the Blue Devils, opted to remain in the draft.

In ESPN’s updated way-too-early top 25 for the upcoming season after the deadline, Duke took a bit of a tumble. Scheyer’s team has fallen out of the top 10 in the preseason rankings, dropping six spots from No. 6 to No. 12.

Duke jumped from No. 11 to No. 6 in May after Isaiah Evans opted to forgo the NBA draft and transfer portal to return to Durham, followed by Washington State transfer Cedric Coward’s commitment. But when it became apparent that Coward — a borderline first-round pick — would remain in the draft, Jon Scheyer had to pivot. He quickly landed potential future first-rounder Dame Sarr, an Italian wing who played for FC Barcelona, and top-25 recruit Sebastian Wilkins, who reclassified up from 2026.

Scheyer once again brings in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, headlined by Cameron Boozer, who should be among the most productive frontcourt players in the country.

The Blue Devils have managed to steadily improve in each of the three seasons under Scheyer since he replaced legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski, and they should be among the top teams in college basketball yet again next season.

The Duke Blue Devils, a basketball program synonymous with success and elite talent, have found themselves sliding down ESPN’s preseason top 25 rankings following the recent NBA draft deadline. This shift reflects significant changes in the team’s composition, the evolving college basketball landscape, and heightened expectations from fans and analysts alike.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore why Duke’s ranking has fallen, the factors contributing to this shift, the implications for Coach Jon Scheyer’s squad, and what fans can expect as the new season approaches.

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## The Prestige of Duke Basketball

Before dissecting the recent ranking drop, it’s important to understand the historical context of Duke basketball.

### A Legacy of Excellence

Duke University, under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski and now Jon Scheyer, has been a powerhouse in college basketball for decades. The Blue Devils boast five NCAA championships, numerous ACC titles, and a consistent presence in the NCAA tournament.

This success has made Duke a perennial preseason top 10 team, with high expectations every season.

### High Expectations Come With High Stakes

Duke’s recruiting pipeline is among the best nationally, attracting top high school talent, often projected to be future NBA stars. These players usually enter the NBA draft early, which affects preseason predictions for Duke in subsequent years.

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## The NBA Draft Deadline’s Impact on Duke’s Ranking

### Understanding the NBA Draft Deadline

The NBA draft deadline refers to the cutoff point when college players must decide whether to remain in the NBA draft or withdraw and return to college basketball. This deadline significantly influences team projections, as the presence or absence of key players can alter a squad’s potential dramatically.

### Key Duke Players Declaring for the Draft

This year, Duke saw several notable players declare for the NBA draft or seriously consider leaving. The loss of these players—who were central to Duke’s previous successes—has left questions about the team’s immediate competitiveness.

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## Reasons Behind Duke’s Drop in ESPN’s Preseason Top 25

### 1. **Departure of Key Players**

The most immediate and impactful reason for Duke’s fall in the rankings is the departure of vital contributors to the NBA draft.

* **Losing Star Power:** Players like \[Insert Names], who were expected to return and lead the team, have decided to go pro, leaving voids in scoring, defense, and leadership.

* **Experience Gap:** With multiple upperclassmen or high-impact players leaving, the Blue Devils face an experience deficit heading into the new season.

### 2. **Roster Uncertainty**

The draft deadline creates roster uncertainty, making it difficult for analysts to project Duke’s true strength.

* **Incoming Freshmen and Transfers:** While Duke continues to recruit elite talent, freshmen and new transfers often face adjustment periods.

* **Development Unknowns:** How quickly these new players gel and adapt to Coach Scheyer’s system remains uncertain.

### 3. **Increased Competition**

Other college basketball programs have made significant gains, improving their rosters through transfers and recruiting.

* **Balanced Landscape:** The ACC and the nation have several programs now boasting more experienced or deeper teams.

* **Loss of Edge:** Duke’s traditional edge as a dominant preseason favorite has been tempered by this increased parity.

### 4. **Coaching Transition**

Though Jon Scheyer has shown promise, the transition from legendary Coach K has introduced questions.

* **System Implementation:** Analysts wonder how well Scheyer’s system and style will translate with a younger, less experienced roster.

* **Leadership Dynamics:** Leadership on and off the court is under scrutiny after losing seasoned veterans.

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## Implications of the Ranking Drop

### Pressure on Duke Players and Coaching Staff

A lower preseason ranking can create added pressure, but it can also serve as motivation.

* **Proving Doubters Wrong:** Players may use this as fuel to outperform expectations.

* **Coaching Challenge:** Scheyer faces the task of integrating new talent quickly and fostering team chemistry.

### Recruiting Impact

Rankings influence recruiting, but Duke’s brand remains strong.

* **Recruits Watching:** High school prospects may perceive the ranking drop as an opportunity for immediate impact.

* **Maintaining Prestige:** Duke’s historical success and NBA pipeline continue to attract elite players.

### Fan and Media Perception

Fans may feel concerned, but the passionate Duke fan base remains optimistic.

* **Media Narrative:** Analysts will closely watch Duke’s early-season performance to adjust predictions.

* **Expectation Management:** Duke must balance high expectations with roster realities.

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## The Road Ahead: Duke’s Season Outlook

### Strengths to Build On

* **Elite Recruiting:** Duke’s incoming freshman class remains among the nation’s best.

* **Coaching Talent:** Jon Scheyer’s experience as a former player and assistant coach positions him to develop young talent effectively.

* **Team Depth:** Despite departures, the team has promising role players ready to step up.

### Challenges to Overcome

* **Experience Deficit:** A younger roster needs to quickly mature to compete at the highest level.

* **Consistency:** New players must develop chemistry and learn the system to avoid early-season struggles.

* **Competitive ACC:** Duke faces a challenging conference with seasoned opponents.

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## Historical Precedents: When Duke Has Faced Similar Challenges

Duke has navigated ranking drops before due to early NBA departures.

* **Post-2015 Scenario:** Following the departure of key players like Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow, Duke experienced an adjustment period before regaining dominance.

* **Learning from the Past:** These experiences have taught the program resilience and adaptability.

Duke’s Preseason Ranking Drop is a New Chapter, Not the End

Duke basketball’s slide in ESPN’s preseason top 25 following the NBA draft deadline is a reflection of the natural ebb and flow in college basketball, particularly for a program that regularly produces NBA talent. While the departure of key players and roster uncertainties present challenges, Duke’s rich tradition, coaching leadership, and elite recruiting class provide a solid foundation for a competitive season.

Fans, analysts, and players alike should view this preseason ranking drop as a reset rather than a setback—one that could motivate the Blue Devils to prove their resilience and reclaim their position among college basketball’s elite.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Duke to see how Coach Scheyer’s squad responds to this challenge, develops its young core, and writes the next chapter in the storied history of Blue Devils basketball.