The Duke men’s basketball team has looked like an unstoppable force since the start of December, winning 19 of its last 20 games, and the experts at USA TODAY Sports see the Blue Devils as a clear No. 1 seed as of Friday.
Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, and Eddie Timanus released their updated Bracketology projections on Friday with Duke perched atop the East region.
The Auburn Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Florida Gators joined the Blue Devils on the top line, group of No. 1 seeds in line with the SEC’s dominance so far this season. The Tennessee Volunteers ended up as the No. 2 seed In the West, and the Texas A&M Aggies and Kentucky Wildcats drew No. 3 seeds in two other regions.
The Blue Devils were joined by the Iowa State Cyclones, Michigan Wolverines, and St. John’s Red Storm in the East. Duke would play either Quinnipiac or American in the opening round (depending on a First Four result) with the Oregon Ducks or West Virginia Mountaineers waiting in the second.
Three other ACC teams made the projected USA TODAY Sports bracket with the Clemson Tigers and Louisville Cardinals both drawing No. 6 seeds. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons ended up in the First Four.
