Preseason Treason: Duke Loses > 7 Games as Preseason #1 Fourth Time
Duke (29-8) became the 12th Associated Press preseason No. 1 selection to suffer at least eight defeats after bowing in regional final against Kansas. The Blue Devils became only the fourth of the first 12 preseason #1 choices notching at least eight reversals - Duke '89, Arizona '01 and Kentucky '14 - compiling a winning NCAA Tournament record that year. In relying solely on ranking of recruiting classes, are we bound for another such squad in 2018-19? Odds are comparable to Marvin Bagley III attending more days of classes this semester than games played in same time frame. Let's just hope Bagley and fellow celebrated frosh centers Deandre Ayton (Arizona) and Mohamed Bamba (Texas) were as quick to answer professor questions in class as they were to announcing intentions to leave college early following elimination from NCAA playoffs.
The lowest winning percentage for a preseason top-ranked squad was registered by John Wooden-coached UCLA, which was 18-8 (.692) in 1965-66 when the Bruins finished second in the AAWU behind Oregon State. Duke accounted for four of the following 12 preseason #1 choices compiling a minimum of eight setbacks since 1961-62:
| PS #1 Team | Season | Coach | Record | Pct. | NCAA Tournament Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 2013-14 | John Calipari | 29-11 | .725 | Lost in NCAA title game against Connecticut, 60-54. |
| Connecticut | 1999-00 | Jim Calhoun | 25-10 | .714 | Lost in Second Round against Tennessee, 65-61. |
| Syracuse | 1987-88 | Jim Boeheim | 26-9 | .743 | Lost in Second Round against Rhode Island, 97-94. |
| Duke | 2016-17 | Mike Krzyzewski | 28-9 | .757 | Lost in Second Round against South Carolina, 88-81. |
| UCLA | 1965-66 | John Wooden | 18-8 | .692 | DNP after failing to win league title for only time in 18-year span. |
| Indiana | 1979-80 | Bob Knight | 21-8 | .724 | Lost in Regional Semifinals against Purdue, 76-69. |
| Duke | 1978-79 | Bill E. Foster | 22-8 | .733 | Lost playoff opener against St. John's, 80-78. |
| North Carolina | 1977-78 | Dean Smith | 23-8 | .742 | Lost in First Round against San Francisco, 68-64. |
| Cincinnati | 1996-97 | Bob Huggins | 26-8 | .765 | Lost in Second Round against Iowa State, 67-66. |
| Arizona | 2000-01 | Lute Olson | 28-8 | .778 | Lost in Championship Game against Duke, 82-72. |
| Duke | 1988-89 | Mike Krzyzewski | 28-8 | .778 | Lost at Final Four against Seton Hall, 95-78. |
| Duke | 2017-18 | Mike Krzyzewski | 29-8 | .784 | Lost in Regional Final against Kansas, 85-81 in OT. |