Boozer Brothers Focused on UCONN Matchup, Not Duke Rivalry

Cayden and Cameron Boozer discuss their Elite 8 game against the Huskies.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:21pm

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Ahead of their Elite 8 matchup against UCONN, Duke freshmen Cayden and Cameron Boozer spoke to the media about their mindset and approach. The brothers emphasized the need to play 'Duke basketball' for a full 40 minutes and not get distracted by the historic rivalry between the two programs, instead focusing on competing and finding ways to win against a tough Huskies team.

Why it matters

The Boozer brothers are key players for Duke, who are seeking to advance to the Final Four. Their comments provide insight into the team's mentality as they prepare to face a formidable UCONN squad, one of the top teams in the country.

The details

The Boozers discussed the quick turnaround from their previous game against St. John's, noting the need to quickly move on and get ready for UCONN. They acknowledged the Huskies' strengths, including their top-10 defense and ability to protect the paint, and said Duke will need to take smart shots, take care of the ball, and make it tough for UCONN on the defensive end.

  • The Boozer brothers spoke to the media on March 28, 2026, ahead of the Elite 8 matchup against UCONN.

The players

Cayden Boozer

A Duke freshman who has been in the starting lineup for the last 6 games, including the team's run through the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

Cameron Boozer

The other Boozer brother, also a Duke freshman, who has been a key contributor for the team.

UCONN

Duke's opponent in the Elite 8, a top-10 team nationally known for their strong defense.

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What they’re saying

“It's not about, uh, obviously we, we know we got to do things better from the last game. It's more it's about the mentality of moving on quickly, getting ready for UConn. Uh, I have a lot of respect for them. They're a great team, so, uh, we're going to be prepared for that matchup.”

— Cameron Boozer, Duke Freshman

“Winning is hard, man. I think it's very overlooked. Maybe not overlooked, but I think it's an underrated skill. Winning is hard.”

— Cayden Boozer, Duke Freshman

What’s next

The winner of the Duke-UCONN matchup will advance to the Final Four.

The takeaway

The Boozer brothers are focused on playing their best basketball and not getting caught up in the hype of the historic Duke-UCONN rivalry, understanding that winning at this stage of the tournament requires a complete, focused effort against a talented opponent.