Duke and UConn are no strangers to facing off against each other in big-time games, and Sunday’s matchup in the Elite Eight will be among the most important.
The Blue Devils come in as the top overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, winners of 14 straight games and have the leading candidate for the Wooden Award, Cameron Boozer, on their side. Jon Scheyer’s team has somehow grown stronger as the tournament has gone along, as Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster returned from injuries, the latter scoring all 11 of his points in the second half of Duke’s 80-75 victory over St. John’s in the Sweet 16.
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Dan Hurley’s squad stands in the way between Duke and a second straight trip to the Final Four. While the Blue Devils have a bunch of young stars, the Huskies are loaded with veterans, including seniors Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, who combined for 37 points in the 67-63 win against Michigan State.
It might be the matchup between Boozer and Karaban that decides the game, and the Duke freshman is ready for the battle.
“He’s a great player,” Boozer said. “Anyone who wins two National Championships is a big-time player, especially in those two runs. I think his off-ball movement is great, especially for someone his size. He’s a great shooter. He shoots from way behind the line as well.”
Duke and UConn tip off at 5:05 ET on Sunday on CBS.
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Odds
Spread: Duke -5
Moneyline: Duke -215, UConn +183
Over/Under: 134
Game Prediction
Duke showed how gutsy it could be in the comeback win over St. John’s, recovering from a 10-point deficit in the second half by shutting down the Red Storm on the offensive end and taking it to the basket on offense. It will be another massive challenge against a bunch of veterans that UConn trots out.
The Blue Devils have proven they can win in many ways, as have the Huskies. In the end, Karaban and UConn get it done in a classic.
Score: UConn 72, Duke 68
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke vs. UConn game preview, prediction (NCAA Tournament Elite Eight)