DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Nolan Smith scored 28 points and No. 5 Duke made its case to return to the top of the national rankings by routing Georgia Tech 79-57 on Sunday night.
Kyle Singler added 15 points and Ryan Kelly had 10 for the Blue Devils (25-2, 12-1 ACC). A technical foul on coach Mike Krzyzewski inspired the overwhelming run that carried Duke to its sixth straight win and 10th victory in a row in conference play.
Duke, the reigning national champion and preseason No. 1, slipped from that perch after a loss in mid-January but could return to the top spot Monday when the new poll is released. All four teams ahead of the Blue Devils — Kansas, Ohio State, Texas and Pitt — lost in the past week.
Iman Shumpert and Moe Miller had 13 points apiece, but they couldn’t keep the Yellow Jackets (11-15, 3-9) from losing their sixth straight ACC game.
