Is Jeff Borzello Right to Leave Duke Out of the Top 10? A Closer Look at the Blue Devils’ 2025-26 Outlook
The Duke Blue Devils are one of the most iconic programs in college basketball history. With a Final Four run fresh in memory and the No. 1 recruiting class in the country en route to Durham, it’s no surprise that most preseason rankings have Duke comfortably inside the top ten heading into the 2025–26 season.
But not everyone is sold.
In a bold take that’s raising eyebrows around the college basketball world, ESPN insider Jeff Borzello has left Duke completely out of his top ten in his latest “Way-Too-Early” rankings. Instead, he places the Blue Devils at No. 12, behind programs like Louisville, Michigan, BYU, and Texas Tech.
Is he right? Or is this just a hot take bound to age poorly?
Let’s dig into the reasoning — and the reality.
Why Duke Should Be Top 10
At first glance, Borzello’s ranking seems like a miss. After all, Duke is returning four of its top ten scorers from a team that made it all the way to the Final Four. Head coach Jon Scheyer also secured the No. 1 ranked 2025 recruiting class, headlined by top-tier prospects like Cameron Boozer, Cooper Flagg’s former teammate Karter Knox, and a slew of future first-rounders.
With that kind of returning firepower and incoming talent, it’s no wonder most national outlets have them locked into their top ten, with many even slotting Duke into the top five.
But Borzello’s more cautious approach isn’t without merit.
The Case Against Duke — Uncertainty Over Hype
Although Duke has a mountain of potential, the word potential is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The entire starting fivefrom the 2024–25 campaign is gone. In its place: high-upside players who have yet to prove themselves in leading roles.
Take Caleb Foster, for instance. Once billed as the next great Duke guard, Foster entered last season with sky-high expectations — only to lose his starting spot midseason and fade into the background. Now, he’s expected to be the leader. Can he make that leap?
Then there’s Isaiah Evans, Duke’s elite shooter. Evans knocked down threes at a high clip last year, but nearly 81% of his shots came from beyond the arc. He was a classic 3-and-D guy, not a go-to scorer or offensive engine. He’ll be asked to do much more in 2025–26 — and it remains to be seen if he’s ready for that responsibility.
As for the incoming freshmen? Cameron Boozer might be a generational talent. But even the best high school players don’t always dominate immediately at the college level. Scheyer’s class is stacked, but so was Memphis in 2021. So was Kentucky in 2023. Chemistry matters. So does experience.
Borzello’s Top Ten and Where Duke Stands
Here’s a look at the ten programs Borzello ranks ahead of Duke:
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Purdue
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Florida
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Houston
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UConn
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St. John’s
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BYU
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Louisville
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Michigan
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Kentucky
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Texas Tech
It’s a competitive list, no doubt. Purdue and Houston are returning much of their cores. UConn remains a powerhouse. Kentucky and Michigan are reloaded. St. John’s and BYU are trending upward with savvy recruiting and strong player development.
But when you compare those programs to Duke’s blend of top-tier recruits and Final Four DNA, it’s hard not to argue that the Blue Devils have one of the highest ceilings in the nation.
What Makes This Duke Team So Intriguing
The Blue Devils may not be the safest bet to start the season strong. But few teams have as much upside by March. The spotlight will shine even brighter with a brutal non-conference schedule, offering early tests against national contenders — and perhaps an early opportunity to prove Borzello wrong.
If Foster and Evans evolve into consistent leaders, and if players like Boozer or Knox can live up to the hype, this team could be unstoppable by tournament time.
But it all comes down to whether this group can gel — fast.
Final Word: Is Borzello Right?
Short-term? Maybe.
Long-term? Probably not.
Jeff Borzello’s ranking of Duke at No. 12 isn’t outrageous. It’s rooted in valid skepticism: unproven starters, reliance on freshmen, and no clear go-to veteran presence. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Duke basketball over the decades, it’s this — talent tends to rise, and when it does, it rises fast.
So yes, Duke might take a few lumps early. But come March 2026, don’t be surprised if they’re cutting down nets again.
Whether No. 12 or No. 2, the Blue Devils are back in the spotlight — and once again, the world will be watching.
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