Duke Edges UConn in Tight Elite Eight Matchup

Karaban's strong performance not enough as Boozer leads Blue Devils to victory

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:21pm

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In a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup, the Duke Blue Devils defeated the UConn Huskies 72-68 in a close and hard-fought game. UConn forward Alex Karaban had a standout performance, scoring 22 points, but it was not enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Blue Devils, led by 24 points from Cameron Boozer.

Why it matters

This game featured a clash of two storied college basketball programs, with Duke and UConn having defined the sport in the 1990s. The outcome not only determined which team would advance to the Final Four, but also showcased the continued excellence of these programs and the high-level talent on display in this year's NCAA Tournament.

The details

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to pull away for long. Karaban was a constant threat for UConn, knocking down four 3-pointers and attacking the rim with his quickness. However, Duke's defense was able to limit the Huskies' other scoring options, forcing them to rely heavily on Karaban. On the other end, Boozer's combination of size, skill, and aggressiveness proved too much for UConn to handle, as he scored efficiently both inside and out.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 5:05 p.m. ET.
  • This was the Elite Eight matchup in the East Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Alex Karaban

A senior forward for the UConn Huskies who has been a standout performer in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 22 points per game in the team's run to the Elite Eight.

Cameron Boozer

A sophomore forward for the Duke Blue Devils who led his team with 24 points in the victory, showcasing his versatile scoring ability both inside and outside.

Duke Blue Devils

A storied college basketball program that has won 5 national championships, including in the 1990s, and is making its 38th appearance in the Elite Eight.

UConn Huskies

A dominant college basketball program that has won 4 national championships, including in the 1990s, and is making its 25th appearance in the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“Alex Karaban has been the engine for the Huskies, and he's set to keep building his legacy with a statement performance against the Duke Blue Devils.”

— Logan, Analyst

“Cameron Boozer's ability to play away from the rim while also dominate inside and get to the foul line forces UConn to either roll out a slower Tarris Reed or a smaller Karaban to cover.”

— Logan, Analyst

What’s next

The winner of this game will advance to the Final Four, where they will face the winner of the other Elite Eight matchup in the East Region.

The takeaway

This game showcased the continued excellence of two of college basketball's most storied programs, with Duke's balanced attack and Cameron Boozer's dominant performance ultimately proving too much for the UConn Huskies and Alex Karaban's heroic efforts. The close and competitive nature of the game highlighted the high level of talent and competitiveness in this year's NCAA Tournament.