Men's college basketball Power Rankings: A 1-2 showdown on tap this weekend - ESPN

ESPN

by Jeff Borzello

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The highly anticipated showdown between the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and No. 2 Duke Blue Devils on Saturday has become the marquee event of the college basketball season. This game, originally scheduled in June, was already expected to be a thrilling clash between two potential Final Four contenders. However, with both teams now ranked in the top two of ESPN's Power Rankings—Michigan leading six out of seven metrics and Duke topping one metric—the stakes have been elevated even further. The winner of this game is likely to claim the No. 1 ranking next week and could also position itself as the overall No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday. Both teams are in strong form heading into this matchup. Michigan boasts a perfect 25-1 record, with their most recent win over Purdue showcasing the strength of their backcourt rather than just their dominant frontlines. Players like Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney have been key contributors, with Cadeau delivering 17 points and seven assists against Purdue. On the other hand, Duke enters the game with a 24-2 record, despite losing to Texas Tech and North Carolina earlier this season. Their supporting cast has stepped up recently, with Isaiah Evans averaging nearly 19.7 points in his last three games. The significance of this game extends beyond the rankings. It represents a clash of styles: Michigan's balanced attack

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/19/2026