Duke rallies again: Blue Devils reach third straight Elite Eight

It's the third consecutive season the Blue Devils have advanced to the Elite Eight.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:36am

The Duke Blue Devils overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the St. John's Red Storm 80-75 and advance to the Elite Eight for the third straight season. Led by strong performances from Isaiah Evans and Cameron Boozer, Duke flipped the game in the second half to secure the victory and continue its deep tournament run under head coach Jon Scheyer.

Why it matters

Reaching the Elite Eight three years in a row is an impressive feat, as the NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictability. Duke's consistency and ability to win close games when facing adversity demonstrates the program's continued excellence under Scheyer's leadership, maintaining the Blue Devils' status as one of college basketball's premier powerhouses.

The details

After trailing 40-39 at halftime, Duke came out of the break with renewed energy and took control of the game. Isaiah Evans led the charge with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while Cameron Boozer dominated inside with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue Devils' physical edge on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 40-27, helped them wear down St. John's in the second half and pull away for the victory.

  • The game was played on March 28, 2026.

The players

Isaiah Evans

A Duke player who scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting to lead the Blue Devils to victory.

Cameron Boozer

A Duke player who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Blue Devils control the glass.

Jon Scheyer

The head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, who has led the program to the Elite Eight in three consecutive seasons since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski.

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What’s next

Duke will face the winner of the other regional semifinal matchup in the Elite Eight, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Duke's ability to overcome adversity and reach the Elite Eight for the third straight season under new head coach Jon Scheyer demonstrates the program's continued excellence and status as one of the premier college basketball powerhouses, even in the midst of a coaching transition.