Why Insider Discredits Duke’s Once-Signature Victory

Across Duke's five victories over ranked opponents through its first 15 games, only one of which has come at Cameron Indoor Stadium. That was a thrilling 67-66 victory over Florida that ended with a dagger three from Isaiah Evans to give the Blue Devils the victory.

However, the ship in Gainesville hasn't been so smooth-sailing since the loss to Duke, and the once-marquee win for the Blue Devils is looking less and less elite as time goes on.

Disappointing Start To Season for Florida Hurts Duke Basketball

Florida fell to 5-3 on the year following the loss to Duke, also with losses to then-No. 13 Arizona and TCU, both on neutral floors. Since they were defeated by the Blue Devils, Florida has gone 1-2 against Power Conference opponents, with a win over No. 18 Georgia and losses to No. 4 UConn and Missouri. After coming into the campaign regarded as potentially the best team in college basketball, Todd Golden's group is now 10-5 overall and out of the AP Poll altogether.

CBS Sports writer Kyle Boone considers the Gators one of the most disappointing teams in the country so far.

"There's a strong case to be made for Kentucky and St. John's, and UCLA was considered as well. But for my money, no team's preseason expectations have been dimmed more by its in-season reality than Florida," Boone said.

"Coming off a championship season in which it won a program-record 36 games, a 10-5 start is undeniably disappointing."

"That reality is magnified by an offseason haul that allowed Florida to effectively handpick its incoming talent, fueled by the postseason momentum of a title run. For now, Florida is the clear winner among the losers, and by a wide margin."

What was once considered one of the best wins in the sport for Duke basketball has now been diminished by Florida's mediocre play as the season has progressed.

Now, it's still a Quad 1 victory, and since those big-time wins count the "least" if they come at home, this is the best elite opponent to be underperforming for Duke, as its other four ranked victories have come either on the road or at neutral sites.

At the end of the day, this win will still count as a Quad 1 victory for Jon Scheyer and his team, but it won't look as amazing on Selection Sunday as originally anticipated.

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