Raleigh Native Silas Demary Faces Duke in Elite Eight

UConn guard's return from injury sets up dream matchup against hometown Blue Devils

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:59pm

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Silas Demary, a Raleigh native and former Millbrook High School star, has made a quick recovery from a foot injury to compete in the NCAA Tournament for UConn. This sets up a dream Elite Eight matchup for Demary against Duke, the hometown team he grew up rooting for.

Why it matters

The Elite Eight clash between UConn and Duke is a high-stakes showdown between two of college basketball's most storied programs. For Demary, it's a chance to face off against the team he supported as a kid, adding extra personal significance to the game.

The details

Demary, a junior guard for UConn, suffered a foot injury earlier in the season but has worked his way back to full strength in time for the NCAA Tournament. Similarly, Duke's Caleb Foster also returned quickly from a foot issue to play in the tournament. The two players' parallel recoveries have set the stage for an intriguing Elite Eight matchup between their teams.

  • Demary suffered a foot injury earlier this season.
  • Demary and Foster both returned from their foot injuries to compete in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Silas Demary

A junior guard for the UConn Huskies and a Raleigh native who attended Millbrook High School.

Caleb Foster

A Duke Blue Devils player who, like Demary, returned quickly from a foot injury to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

UConn Huskies

One of college basketball's most successful programs, making their way to the Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Duke Blue Devils

A perennial college basketball powerhouse that has advanced to the Elite Eight, setting up a matchup against UConn.

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What they’re saying

“This is a dream come true, to be able to play against Duke in the Elite Eight. I grew up watching them, and now I get to compete against them on the biggest stage.”

— Silas Demary, UConn Guard

What’s next

The winner of the UConn-Duke matchup will advance to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Silas Demary's return from injury has set up a thrilling Elite Eight clash between his UConn Huskies and the Duke Blue Devils, the team he grew up supporting in his hometown of Raleigh. This personal storyline adds extra drama and significance to an already high-stakes tournament game between two of college basketball's premier programs.