Survey of college basketball coaches high on Duke's title hopes

As the 2026-27 college basketball season approaches, Duke Blue Devils have become a topic of discussion among coaches. Despite preseason practice not yet starting, the team is already seen as a strong contender for the national title. This perception is backed by a recent survey conducted by CBS Sports, which polled nearly 100 college basketball coaches on their predictions for the season's top teams.

Duke emerged as a favorite, receiving 16 percent of the votes, second only to Florida's significant lead of 55 percent. The Blue Devils' strength lies in their talented roster, with players such as Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Cayden Boozer, Patrick Ngongba, and newcomers John Blackwell, Drew Scharnowski, and 5-star recruits Cam Williams, Deron Rippey Jr., and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje expected to contribute significantly.

Coaches believe that Duke's ability to attract top talent, coupled with their recent spending and success, gives them a significant advantage. When asked about Duke's chances, one coach remarked, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but if Duke's frontcourt is good at all, they are in pole position." The coach's faith in the team is further bolstered by the recent collapses they experienced in the previous two seasons, suggesting that good fortune may be on the team's side.

Head coach Jon Scheyer, who faced setbacks in his first four years with Duke, may finally have the right mix of returning talent and new players to lead the team to a sixth national title.