It's now official: Duke's game against Xavier Saturday in the Izod Center will be the Blue Devils' second contest against a top-10 opponent away from Cameron Indoor Stadium before ACC play, marking the first time that's happened since 2001.
The Blue Devils were ranked No. 6 and Xavier came in at No. 7 in the newest Associated Press poll, released Monday. Duke played No. 7 Iowa and No. 7 Kentucky on neutral courts before the new year in 2001, the last year Mike Krzyzewski's squad won a national championship.
Duke, coming off its first loss of the season against Michigan, moved up a spot despite being idle to study for exams. The Musketeers jumped from No. 10 after winning at Cincinnati.
Gonzaga, which lost to Arizona Sunday, slipped below Duke, and Tennessee, which was shocked by Temple Saturday, tumbled out of the top 10. With Wake Forest moving to No. 10, the ACC and Big East (No. 2 Connecticut, No. 3 Pittsburgh and No. 9 Louisville) are tied with three teams in the top 10. North Carolina remained a unanimous No. 1 choice.
Clemson, which has again started its season undefeated, joined the poll at No. 25, while two more future Duke foes, No. 15 Georgetown and No. 22 Davidson, continued to climb.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.