No. 1 Duke hosts No. 11 Virginia in ACC showdown

Blue Devils and Cavaliers meet in key conference matchup on February 28

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils will host the 11th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers in a highly anticipated ACC men's basketball showdown on Saturday, February 28th. Duke enters the game on a five-game winning streak, while Virginia has won nine straight contests. The two teams are battling for positioning in the conference standings.

Why it matters

This game features a matchup of two of the top teams in the ACC, with major implications for the conference title race and NCAA Tournament seeding. Both Duke and Virginia have been playing excellent basketball of late, setting the stage for an exciting clash between the conference rivals.

The details

The Blue Devils, led by star freshman Jayden Bates, have been dominant at home this season, compiling a 15-1 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, boast one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing just 60.2 points per game. This clash of styles should produce a closely contested game between two of the nation's premier college basketball programs.

  • The game tips off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Jayden Bates

A highly touted freshman forward for the Duke Blue Devils, Bates has been a key contributor to the team's success this season.

Virginia Cavaliers

The 11th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers are known for their stifling defense, which has been a major factor in their nine-game winning streak.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is going to be a great test for our team against a very well-coached and disciplined Virginia squad. We're looking forward to the challenge.”

— Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Duke Blue Devils (ESPN)

“Duke is always a tough opponent, but we're confident in our ability to compete with them. It should be an exciting game for the fans.”

— Tony Bennett, Head Coach, Virginia Cavaliers (The Athletic)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a major step towards securing a top seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the nation's elite college basketball programs promises to be a thrilling contest, with major implications for the ACC title race and NCAA Tournament seeding.