Duke Slots in at No. 2 in Way-Too-Early Rankings, and the Firepower Is Legit

Duke finished the 2025-26 regular season 29-2. Even better? They're not done getting better. Jon Scheyer's squad just landed in the No. 2 spot of On3's way-too-early top 25 for next season, and after you see who's staying and who's arriving in Durham, you'll understand why nobody's sleeping on the Blue Devils.

The Losses Hurt, But the Roster is Stacked

Yeah, Duke said goodbye to Wooden Award winner Cameron Boozer and sharpshooter Isaiah Evans. Those are real hits. But here's the thing: the returning talent is loaded enough that the Blue Devils didn't panic. Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr, Caleb Foster, and Patrick Ngongba are all coming back. Transfer John Blackwell is on his way. And then there's the recruiting haul: five-star recruits Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard are headed to Durham.

On3's Thomas Goldkamp specifically highlighted Foster and Ngongba as anchors for Scheyer's offense, while Williams brings that star freshman factor that keeps Duke in the conversation year after year. The starting lineup should be elite, and the bench depth is deep enough that guys on this roster could start for Power 4 schools elsewhere.

What the Rankings Actually Say

Goldkamp's top 25 has Duke at No. 2, right behind Florida. The Blue Devils finished the regular season 29-2 overall and went 17-1 in the ACC, so staying at the top of early polls makes sense. This isn't some wild prediction. This is Duke being Duke, reloading while staying in the championship conversation.

The question heading into next season isn't whether Duke belongs at the top. The question is whether Cameron Williams can make the immediate impact that keeps this machine humming at the highest level.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.