Duke Basketball Now in Position to Potentially Leapfrog Auburn

The landscape of college basketball is always shifting, and in 2025, there’s an exciting development in the top ranks of the NCAA men’s basketball scene. The Duke Blue Devils, long recognized as a dominant force in college hoops, are now in a position to potentially leapfrog Auburn University in the national rankings. This development comes on the back of a series of impressive performances from Duke, coupled with a slight dip in Auburn’s momentum. Let’s explore how Duke is in a position to make this leap and what this means for both teams in the context of the college basketball season.

The Current State of Duke Basketball

Duke’s basketball program has long been synonymous with success. Under the leadership of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils became a perennial powerhouse, claiming multiple NCAA championships and consistently competing at the highest level. In recent years, Coach K’s retirement opened the door for Jon Scheyer, a former Duke player and assistant coach, to take over. Scheyer’s first season as head coach saw a strong start, with the team continuing its tradition of developing elite talent while maintaining a style of play that’s both disciplined and dynamic.

Duke’s roster for the 2024-2025 season has showcased the fruits of Scheyer’s efforts. The team has been playing an exciting brand of basketball, balancing skilled shooting with a robust defensive strategy. The emergence of freshman talent, combined with key returning players, has provided Duke with the depth needed to challenge for the top spots in the NCAA rankings. The Blue Devils have been steadily climbing, and their current form places them squarely in the conversation for a higher rank, with a real chance to surpass Auburn if they continue their upward trajectory.

Auburn’s Recent Struggles

Auburn, on the other hand, has also been a formidable presence in recent college basketball seasons. Under the leadership of Bruce Pearl, the Tigers have become a national contender, frequently in the hunt for SEC titles and NCAA tournament berths. Auburn’s style of play—characterized by aggressive defense and fast-paced offense—has served them well, especially in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive basketball leagues in the nation.

However, as the 2024-2025 season has progressed, Auburn has experienced some setbacks. Despite a strong start, they have faced challenges with consistency, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Key players have been hampered by injuries, and the team has struggled to maintain the level of intensity and focus that propelled them to success in previous seasons. While the Tigers still remain a top-tier team, their slip-up in recent weeks has opened the door for other teams like Duke to potentially leapfrog them in the rankings.

Auburn’s defense has remained strong, but their offensive rhythm has been inconsistent. The Tigers have had difficulty shooting from deep, and their ability to execute plays in the clutch has been questioned. This dip in performance, combined with the improvement from teams like Duke, could lead to Auburn losing their current top-five ranking in favor of an ascending Duke squad.

How Duke is Positioned to Leapfrog Auburn

Duke’s position to potentially leapfrog Auburn is a combination of factors—team strength, individual performances, and a favorable schedule. The Blue Devils have demonstrated they can dominate on both sides of the court. Their defense, led by dynamic and versatile players, has been one of the strongest in the nation. Duke’s ability to lock down on the defensive end has been a hallmark of their play, with the team regularly forcing turnovers and converting them into easy fast-break points.

The Blue Devils’ offense, while not as explosive as some of the high-scoring teams in the country, has been efficient. The ability of Duke’s guards and forwards to shoot from beyond the arc, combined with their versatile inside play, has made them difficult to defend. Additionally, the team has relied heavily on their deep bench, which has allowed them to wear down opponents over the course of games. This depth, along with leadership from seasoned players and high expectations for their freshman stars, gives Duke an edge that could push them ahead of Auburn.

Key Players in Duke’s Push for the Top Spot

Several key players have been pivotal in Duke’s rise, and their continued development will be essential for Duke’s success as they aim to leapfrog Auburn in the rankings.

1. Tyrese Proctor (Guard): Proctor has been Duke’s floor general and has shown remarkable growth in his second season. His ability to score, create for others, and play lockdown defense has been crucial for the Blue Devils. As a primary ball handler, his decision-making and ability to manage the tempo of the game will be essential as Duke looks to make its move in the rankings.

2. Kyle Filipowski (Forward): Filipowski, who was a standout last season, has continued to dominate the paint this year. His rebounding and shot-blocking abilities give Duke a major advantage in controlling the flow of the game. Filipowski’s scoring ability inside the arc, combined with his expanding perimeter game, makes him a dual-threat that opponents have struggled to contain.

3. Mark Mitchell (Forward): Mitchell’s versatility on both ends of the floor has been a huge asset for Duke. His ability to defend multiple positions, rebound, and contribute offensively in various ways makes him one of the most well-rounded players in the ACC. As Duke pushes for the top spot, Mitchell’s ability to be a two-way force will be a key factor in their success.

4. Jaden Schutt (Guard): Schutt has emerged as a reliable shooter for Duke this season. His ability to stretch the floor and create spacing has given Duke a potent outside shooting threat. As teams focus more on shutting down Duke’s interior game, Schutt’s ability to hit key three-pointers could be the difference-maker in tight games.

What it Means for Both Teams

For Duke, leapfrogging Auburn in the rankings would be a significant accomplishment, showcasing that Jon Scheyer’s program is continuing to evolve into a championship contender. While Duke has always been a top-tier team in the ACC, their potential to surpass Auburn would further solidify their place in the national conversation. This move could give Duke a higher seed heading into March Madness, and could also give the team more momentum and confidence as the season progresses.

For Auburn, maintaining their position in the rankings will require a return to form. Bruce Pearl will need to work on getting his team back on track, especially in terms of offensive execution. The Tigers’ defense has been one of the best in the nation, but without a more consistent offense, they risk slipping further down the rankings and possibly being overtaken by teams like Duke. As March approaches, Auburn must find a way to regain the form that made them a top-five team in the first place.

The Impact of the Rankings

While the rankings are important, they are not the end-all-be-all for both teams. Regardless of whether Duke surpasses Auburn or not, both teams are likely to be in contention for high seeds in the NCAA Tournament. However, being ranked higher means a more favorable path in the tournament and a better chance to secure a spot in the Final Four. Duke, with its recent performances, would benefit greatly from a higher ranking, as it would provide the team with confidence and momentum heading into the postseason.

Auburn, on the other hand, will need to stay focused on their overall goal of securing a strong tournament seed, regardless of any ranking shifts. Auburn’s defense and physical style of play could serve them well in the postseason, but they’ll need to improve their offensive consistency to make a deep run.

The race between Duke and Auburn for supremacy in the NCAA men’s basketball rankings is one that will be closely watched as the season progresses. Duke’s resurgence, driven by a combination of strong team play, individual performances, and rising talent, places them in a prime position to leapfrog Auburn in the rankings. Whether or not this happens, the implications for both teams are clear: Duke is on the rise and could be a major contender, while Auburn must find a way to regain its form if it hopes to stay ahead of the Blue Devils in the national pecking order. As March Madness draws near, the pressure is on for both teams to maintain their level of play, as every game counts in the race for a top NCAA tournament seed.