March Madness 2016: Overrated/underrated teams
2. Duke Blue Devils (23-10)
Seed: 4
vs. RPI 51-100 teams: 5-1
Being the reigning NCAA champion has to help when it comes to seeding in an off-year, and the Duke Blue Devils are living proof of that notion. Mike Krzyzewski’s squad had a mediocre season, under his standards, and still ended up getting a four-seed over a team like Indiana — who received a No. 5 seed — that won the Big Ten regular season title.
Duke will always be considered a hated team with a huge target on its back, and this year is no different. Sure, half of America will be rooting for the Blue Devils to lose in the first round while the other half picked them in their bracket.
Again, this is one of those teams that had a solid record vs. RPI 51-100 teams, but the Blue Devils were an awful 6-8 vs. RPI top 50 teams. Duke had wins over Virginia, Louisville, Indiana and North Carolina this season, but being unable to beat Notre Dame (twice), Utah, Kentucky, Miami and Pitt were reason enough to drop the Blue Devils to a five, six or even seven seed.
Not many teams with 10 losses on the year can go up and get a No. 4 seed, but the Blue Devils are known for being a Final Four favorite every year no matter what.
A team 6-8 vs. RPI top 50 teams is a No. 4 seed? Pathetic.
Next: Inexperienced Pac-12 cubs