DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke men’s basketball team debuted at No. 1 in the preseason USA TODAY Coaches Poll released Thursday afternoon.
The Blue Devils received 20 first place votes, 11 more than any other program, and 774 total points. Michigan State (747 points) placed second with nine first place votes. Kansas (723), Kentucky (678) and Arizona (654) rounded out the top five.
Duke and Michigan State will play November 14 at the State Farm Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago.
Duke returns seven letterwinners from last year’s squad and features one senior in guard Grayson Allen.