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Throughout college basketball history, countless teams have entered the NCAA Tournament with championship aspirations, only to fall short in shocking fashion. That's why the Duke Blue Devils can't afford to ease up now-not even with their talent advantage over most opponents.
March Madness thrives on upsets and Cinderella stories, making every game a potential trap. With that in mind, Rob Dauster of The Athletic issued a warning to Jon Scheyer's squad ahead of the tournament.
Duke's Biggest Concern? Inexperience in Crunch Time
"Youth and inexperience are valid concerns. Their two nonconference losses were due to a lack of execution down the stretch-Flagg's late turnover against Kentucky and a string of poor possessions against Kansas. As good as Duke is, they'll have to prove they can win tight games when it matters most," wrote Dauster.
Can Cooper Flagg Lead Duke to a Deep Tournament Run?
The Blue Devils have been a top-two team for most of the season, and having Cooper Flagg, the nation's best player, gives them a significant edge. However, tournament success often comes down to experience and execution in high-pressure moments-something this young squad must prove they can handle.
Duke remains at No. 1 in AP Top 25
Duke remained atop The Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll on Monday a day after the committee that selects the 68-team field for the NCAA Tournament went with Auburn as the No. 1 overall seed.
Printable March Madness Bracket 2025
The Blue Devils (31-3) earned 49 of 59 first-place votes in the latest poll after sweeping the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles. That marks Duke's second straight week at No. 1, the first such stint in the three-year tenure of Jon Scheyer as the successor to retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski.
The Blue Devils completed its ACC title run despite losing freshman star Cooper Flagg (ankle) and versatile defender Maliq Brown (shoulder) to injuries in the quarterfinals. Scheyer has said he's optimistic Flagg will be ready to go for the first round of the NCAAs, with the Blue Devils headlining the East Region.