WASHINGTON, D.C. – The college basketball world was treated to a heavyweight clash Saturday night as the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines battled the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils at Capital One Arena. In a game billed as a potential Final Four preview, Duke emerged victorious, defeating Michigan 68-63 in a contest that lived up to its considerable hype.
Michigan, entering the game with a sparkling 25-1 record and leading the nation in scoring margin, found themselves in a tight battle against a Duke squad (24-2) equally determined to solidify its position as a national championship contender. The Wolverines, ranked No. 1 in the NET, at KenPom, and in Wins Above Bubble, were tested like never before by Duke’s relentless defense and potent offensive attack.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. Duke established an early lead, fueled by the dominant play of Cameron Boozer, the presumptive National Player of the Year. Boozer, however, faced a formidable challenge from Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, who emerged as a legitimate contender for the same national award. The individual matchup between the two stars was a focal point of the game, and both players delivered stellar performances.
With 14 seconds remaining, Duke held a 68-63 advantage. Michigan needed a quick score and hoped for some missed free throws from the Blue Devils to have any chance of sending the game to overtime. However, Duke managed to close out the game, securing a hard-fought victory.
Lendeborg led the Wolverines with 21 points, showcasing his improved offensive game alongside his already-renowned defensive prowess. Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense effectively, demonstrating his growth into a premier floor general capable of igniting the Wolverines’ fast break. However, Michigan struggled from the field down the stretch, shooting just 4-of-17 (23 percent) in the final minutes.
Duke countered Michigan’s interior size, which includes the 7-foot-3 Aday Mara, with the lethal perimeter scoring of Isaiah Evans. Evans’ shooting ability proved crucial in cracking Michigan’s typically stingy defense. Cameron Boozer, despite facing a tough defensive assignment from Lendeborg, contributed significantly to Duke’s scoring effort.
The victory for Duke not only strengthens their claim as a top contender for the national championship but also potentially positions them for the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. This head-to-head battle could prove to be the tiebreaker that separates the Blue Devils and Wolverines when the tournament bracket is revealed.
Saturday’s contest marked the first meeting between Michigan and Duke in 13 years, with Duke now leading the all-time series 22-8. The Blue Devils had previously defeated the Wolverines 79-69 on December 3, 2013.
The Duel in the District delivered on its promise of a thrilling, high-stakes matchup. While Michigan’s loss is a setback, their overall body of work remains impressive. For Duke, this win serves as a statement, solidifying their status as one of the elite teams in college basketball and a legitimate threat to win it all. The game provided a glimpse of what could be a compelling NCAA Tournament showdown between these two programs come March.
The teams entered the matchup having lost a combined three times this season, highlighting the quality of competition on display. The winner of this game could position themselves for the top spot in next week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Duke leads 68-63 with 14 seconds left. Michigan cuts Duke lead to 57-56 with 3:24 left in the game. Duke holds a 5-point lead over Michigan with 7:47 left in the game.