Duke vs Auburn Race for #1
Nicolas Margarit
Staff Writer
As the 2024–25 NCAA men’s basketball season progresses, the competition for the top spot has been fiercely contested, particularly between the Auburn Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils. Both teams have been dominant since the season and have been closely watched. The Tigers have maintained a stronghold on the top position in the AP Poll, narrowly edging out competitors.
With a 21-2 record, Auburn received 34 first-place votes in the latest rankings. Their recent schedule has been challenging yet rewarding; after a home loss to Florida on February 8, where they were defeated 90-81, the Tigers rebounded with significant victories. Notably, they secured a 94-85 win over then-No. 2 Alabama on February 15, solidifying their No. 1 ranking. This marked the first-ever meeting between the top two AP-ranked teams in SEC men’s basketball history. Standout performances have led to Auburn’s success from forward Johni Broome, who has been instrumental in their key victories. His contributions have sparked debates about Player of the Year honors, especially in comparison to Duke’s freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg.
Duke, currently has a 23-3 record and has consistently been a top contender. Despite a setback on February 8 with a 77-71 loss to Clemson, the Blue Devils have bounced back. They achieved dominant home victories against California, 78-57 on February 12 and Stanford winning 106-70 on February 15. On Monday they won 80-62 over Virginia, which further cemented their status as the strongest force in the ACC. Earlier in the season Duke then No. 9 and Auburn then No. 2 matched up during the ACC-SEC Challenge. Duke won 84–78 and was led by Cooper Flagg, who contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds. As always there have been many shifts in the rankings throughout the season and both teams have vied for the top position in various polls and rankings.
In early January 2025, Duke surpassed Auburn in the KenPom Ratings, achieving the No. 1 spot. This ascent was attributed to Duke’s strong defensive metrics and a nine-game winning streak, including their significant win over Auburn. However, the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll reflected a different scenario. As of February 19, 2025, Auburn has maintained its position as the unanimous No. 1 team for the sixth consecutive week. As the season approaches March, the battle for the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament intensifies. Both Auburn and Duke are focused on securing top positions in their respective conference tournaments as it will be important for seeding in March Madness. Both teams have many more tough opponents to face and they cannot take their foot off the pedal.
Contact Nicolas at nicolas.margarit@student.shu.edu