OK, we'll take out the suspense: Marvin Bagley is the new No. 1. But he isn't the only Blue Devil on the list. In fact, he isn't even the only Blue Devil in the top two. Fear not: There are plenty of non-Duke surprises in our latest list.
Duke legend Danny Ferry said he has no issue with highly touted incoming freshman Marvin Bagley III wearing his retired No. 35 this season.
Like most everyone else, Dick Vitale thinks the college landscape has tilted toward Duke now that Marvin Bagley has announced he will join the Blue Devils this coming season.
Marvin Bagley III's commitment puts Duke in the driver's seat as the top overall seed in this offseason addition of Bracketology. Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky snag the other three No. 1s.
You knew this was coming the moment top recruit Marvin Bagley picked Duke, right? The Blue Devils have vaulted ahead of Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas and ex-No. 1 Arizona. But actually, the decision to make Duke No. 1 was harder than you might think.
Duke took over the top line in the entire bracket, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a given that the Blue Devils win at all. In fact, history shows it might be pretty hard to cut down the nets.
The no.2 prospect in the ESPN 100 R.J. Barrett just released his final five schools. Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan and Oregon.
No. 2 senior R.J. Barrett announces he is down to five schools: Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan and Oregon.
Before a conversation with Kansas coach Bill Self, Seth Greenberg and Dan Dakich discuss Marvin Bagley's decision to reclassify and head to Duke and much more.
My Marvin Bagley III player comparisons at the same stage. More offensive minded but less of a defensive presence than Anthony Davis. Displays the same scoring punch as Chris Bosh but a better rebounder. Go back to the 80's and think of a more talented Sam Perkins. With all that said Bagley has a lot of work to do but he has so much to work with.
NBA teams will want to see how easily Marvin Bagley can adjust to the intensity level in college and get a better gauge for his defense and outside shooting potential.
In the last four years, the team with the nation's top-ranked recruiting class has prevailed as champion just once in the NCAA tournament. On the bright side for the Blue Devils, that was their 2014-15 team, which beat Wisconsin to prevail in the final.
The Blue Devils are no strangers to landing the country's top-ranked player, as the only team to do so three times since ESPN 100 began in 2007. Only one other school (Kentucky, twice) has done so more than once. Duke has pulled in its fair share of other top prospects as well.
Duke announces the signing of No. 1 prospect Marvin Bagley III:
It's been less than 24 hours since Marvin Bagley announced that he will play at Duke next season, but it's already having ramifications in Las Vegas. The Blue Devils are now odds-on favorites to win the national title.
Maybe fits in isn't the right way to put it, because Marvin Bagley will be a difference-maker for a loaded Duke team.
Duke (3/1) is the second-largest preseason favorite in the last 10 seasons, behind 2014-15 Kentucky. Interestingly, no preseason favorite has gone on to win the national championship since 2008-09 North Carolina. (Via @ESPNStatsInfo)
Duke now has landed their 3rd no.1 player in the ESPN era with the addition of Marvin Bagley III. Giles (2016) and Okafor (2014).
Marvin Bagley III completely changes the landscape of college basketball this season, pushing Duke to the No. 1 spot in the preseason. The Blue Devils' starting lineup will include the No. 1 incoming point guard, the No. 1 incoming shooting guard, last year's Preseason Player of the Year, the No. 1 incoming overall prospect and the No. 5 incoming overall prospect.
The top-heavy 2018 draft now features another serious contender for the No. 1 pick.
Marvin Bagley's decision to play for Duke -- and play this season -- shifts the college landscape. Arizona is good. Kansas is good. Michigan State is good. But Bagley's choice has everyone looking up at Duke -- again.
Marvin Bagley III, the nation's No. 1 high school senior, says he is reclassifying to the Class of 2017 and will play at Duke this upcoming season as a freshman.
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 14-4 | - | 33-7 |
| Florida State | 12-6 | 2 | 26-9 |
| Louisville | 12-6 | 2 | 25-9 |
| Notre Dame | 12-6 | 2 | 26-10 |
| Duke | 11-7 | 3 | 28-9 |
| Virginia | 11-7 | 3 | 23-11 |
| Virginia Tech | 10-8 | 4 | 22-11 |
| Miami | 10-8 | 4 | 21-12 |
| Syracuse | 10-8 | 4 | 19-15 |
| Wake Forest | 9-9 | 5 | 19-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 8-10 | 6 | 21-16 |
| Clemson | 6-12 | 8 | 17-16 |
| Pittsburgh | 4-14 | 10 | 16-17 |
| NC State | 4-14 | 10 | 15-17 |
| Boston College | 2-16 | 12 | 9-23 |
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tre Jones | PG | Committed | 93 |
| Final Fours | 16 |
| Tournament Record | 107-35 |
| Championship Seasons | 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015 |
| Tournament Appearances | 40 |
