Duke rises to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for a record 148th time after a 68-63 win over Michigan, pushing Arizona to No. 2 and Michigan to No. 3, with Florida jumping to No. 7 and Alabama up to No. 17 as 11 teams shift in the rankings.
Michigan is favored to beat Duke at Capital One Arena on Feb 21, 2026, with a -2.5 spread (-110) and -155 moneyline, while Duke is +130. The Wolverines’ frontcourt and stronger 3-point defense give them the edge, with betting trends leaning toward the Under 151 and a Michigan first-half spread of -1.5; tip-off is 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Darian Mensah’s fate rests in a Thursday court hearing that could determine whether he can play for Miami in 2026, while Duke has already landed Walker Eget and positions him as their likely 2026 starter—meaning Mensah’s return to Duke appears unlikely. Mensah remains in the transfer portal under a temporary restraining order that bars enrollment elsewhere, and the ruling could force Miami to pivot or keep aggressively pursuing portal targets. Had he joined Miami, his near-4,000-yard, 34-TD season would boost the Hurricanes’ ACC title hopes, and Miami continues to add players such as Damon Wilson II, Vandrevius Jacobs, and Omar Thornton for 2026.
Miami Hurricanes are close to landing Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, who led the ACC in passing yards and TDs this season and entered the transfer portal Friday with two years of eligibility remaining. UM reportedly has a multi-million-dollar budget for quarterbacks this cycle and pursued other top targets before Mensah, who threw 3,978 yards and 34 TDs at Duke with 66.8% accuracy this season. His addition would provide UM with a proven starter for 2026, joining Emory Williams, Luke Nickel, Judd Anderson, and Dereon Coleman; NIL and buyout considerations tied to his Duke deal could influence terms. The report is by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, dated Jan 16, 2026.
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, who had signed a two-year deal with the program, announced he will enter the transfer portal after initially signaling he planned to return for 2026; Miami is a leading destination, with buyout and NIL revenue-sharing considerations complicating the move as Duke adjusts depth at quarterback.
Duke topped No. 24 SMU 82-75, extending its streak against ranked opponents, but coach Jon Scheyer said the defense has slipped recently and shown communication and rotation gaps. Duke’s earlier elite potential has cooled into a more inconsistent effort, though perimeter stopper Dame Sarr has emerged as a potential fix, creating a helpful defensive surge and multiple steals that could stabilize the unit as the team pursues deeper success.
The article provides a detailed play-by-play account of the college basketball game between SMU Mustangs and Duke Blue Devils on January 10, 2026, highlighting key moments, scores, and player actions throughout the game.
The article provides a detailed play-by-play account of a college basketball game between Duke Blue Devils and Florida State Seminoles on January 3, 2026, highlighting key moments, scores, and player actions throughout the game.
The Charlotte Hornets selected Duke's Kon Knueppel as the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, adding a versatile guard known for his shooting and basketball IQ, and traded for additional assets including a future first-rounder. Knueppel, a Milwaukee native, aims to contribute to the Hornets' backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball, and the team is also focusing on free agency and upcoming second-round picks.
Cooper Flagg, a 6'9" wing player for the Duke Blue Devils, is emerging as the top pick for the NBA Draft, showcasing his athleticism and maturity on the court. Despite a challenging game against Kansas, where he struggled in the first half, Flagg demonstrated resilience and potential in the second half, drawing comparisons to players like Aaron Gordon and Scottie Pippen. NBA teams are eyeing him as a franchise-transforming talent, similar to the excitement surrounding Victor Wembanyama in previous drafts.
Kansas Jayhawks' defensive strategy, dubbed the "Flagg rules," effectively limited Duke freshman Cooper Flagg's impact in their 75-72 victory. KJ Adams played a crucial role by using his strength and experience to guard Flagg, who was held to 13 points and four turnovers. Kansas' defense, including double teams, kept Flagg from taking key shots, showcasing a blueprint for containing the potential top draft pick.
The Kansas Jayhawks narrowly defeated the Duke Blue Devils 75-72 in a thrilling NCAA basketball game in Las Vegas. Despite losing star center Hunter Dickinson to a second-half ejection, Kansas held on with key contributions from Flory Bidunga, who forced a crucial turnover, and Rylan Griffen, who secured the win with late free throws. Dajuan Harris Jr. led Kansas with 14 points and nine assists, while Duke's Tyrese Proctor was the game's leading scorer with 15 points. The Jayhawks remain unbeaten and will next face Furman.
No. 1 Kansas and No. 11 Duke will face off in Las Vegas in a highly anticipated college basketball matchup. Kansas, with a 5-0 record, has been strong this season, led by All-American center Hunter Dickinson. Duke, at 4-1, recently defeated Arizona, with freshman Cooper Flagg leading the team. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on fubo. Duke is favored by 3.5 points, with Flagg's performance being crucial for a potential win over Kansas.
Kentucky Wildcats, led by coach Mark Pope, secured a significant victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the Champions Classic, overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit to win 77-72. Rick Pitino, a notable figure in college basketball, congratulated Pope, who has a history with Kentucky as a former player. This win marks a major milestone in Pope's coaching career.