Duke's Ranked Matchup Not Resume Builder

The No. 4 Blue Devils face No. 20 Clemson, but the game won't be a Quadrant 1 opportunity.

Feb. 14, 2026 at 3:23pm

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The No. 4-ranked Duke Blue Devils (22-2, 11-1 ACC) have had a strong season so far, with a 10-2 record in Quadrant 1 games and a 14-2 record across the first two quadrants. However, their upcoming matchup against No. 20 Clemson (20-5, 10-2 ACC) this Saturday will not be considered a Quadrant 1 game for the Blue Devils, despite Clemson's ranking, due to the Tigers' lower NET ranking.

Why it matters

While a win over a ranked opponent would usually be a resume-booster for NCAA Tournament seeding, Duke's game against Clemson won't move the needle much in terms of the Blue Devils' NCAA Tournament resume. This is because Clemson's current NET ranking of No. 33 means the game will be considered a Quadrant 2 game for Duke, rather than a Quadrant 1 game.

The details

Despite Clemson's solid 20-5 record, the Tigers haven't faced much elite competition this season, with a 4-3 record in Quadrant 1 games and a 10-5 record across the first two quadrants. Their best win of the season, according to the NET rankings, is a 97-94 neutral floor victory over Georgia. If Duke were to beat Clemson on Saturday, there's a chance the win could eventually become a Quadrant 1 victory as the NET rankings change, but Quadrant 2 losses can still be detrimental to a team's NCAA Tournament seeding.

  • The Duke Blue Devils and Clemson Tigers will face off on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm ET.

The players

Jon Scheyer

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils.

Caleb Foster

A guard for the Duke Blue Devils.

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers.

Nojus Indrusaitis

A guard for the Pittsburgh Panthers who defended Caleb Foster in a recent game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.