Duke vs. Louisville: Blue Devils Look to Stay Perfect in ACC Play in Monday Night Rematch
We’ve got a high-stakes ACC rematch on deck Monday night as No. 5 Duke hosts Louisville at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, and if the first meeting was any indication, we’re in for another compelling chapter in this conference rivalry.
Duke enters the matchup at 18-1 overall and a spotless 7-0 in ACC play. The Blue Devils are rolling, riding an eight-game win streak against Louisville, and haven’t dropped a game to the Cardinals at Cameron since the 2020-21 season. On the other side, Louisville (14-5, 4-3 ACC) is trying to build momentum under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, and they’re bringing a bit of swagger into Durham after back-to-back blowout wins.
Last Time They Met: Duke Pulled Away Late
These two teams already squared off once this season, back on January 6 at the KFC Yum! Center.
That game was tight early, but Duke absolutely took over in the second half, outscoring Louisville 46-26 to secure an 84-73 win. The Blue Devils’ young core showed out in a big way-Cameron Boozer led the way with 27 points, Isaiah Evans added 23, and Caleb Foster dropped a career-high 20.
It was a statement win, not just in the box score, but in how Duke imposed its will down the stretch.
Blue Devils Clicking on All Cylinders
Duke’s coming off a 90-69 dismantling of Wake Forest, and once again, it was Boozer leading the charge. The freshman phenom poured in 32 points, continuing what’s been a dominant stretch of play. The team’s balance, depth, and ability to turn up the pressure late in games has been a hallmark of their ACC run so far.
What’s been especially impressive is how Duke’s younger players have matured quickly. Boozer’s scoring has been electric, but Evans and Foster are giving the Blue Devils consistent production and poise beyond their years. That trio has formed the nucleus of a team that’s looking every bit like a Final Four contender.
Louisville Finding Its Groove
Don’t sleep on the Cardinals, though. After a rocky stretch in December, Louisville has found its footing. They’re coming off consecutive wins over Pitt (100-59) and Virginia Tech (85-71), and they’re starting to look more like the team Pat Kelsey envisioned when he took over the program.
A big part of that resurgence? The return of Mikel Brown Jr.
The freshman guard had been sidelined since early December but made his presence felt in a hurry, scoring a team-high 20 points in his return. His ability to create off the dribble and stretch defenses gives Louisville another weapon-and they’ll need all of them to hang with Duke in Durham.
What to Watch For
- **Can Duke control the pace again? ** In the first meeting, the Blue Devils dictated tempo in the second half and wore Louisville down.
Look for them to try and do the same at home.
- **Will Louisville’s offense travel?
** The Cardinals have been hot lately, but putting up points at Cameron is a different animal. If Brown can spark early offense and keep Duke’s defense honest, Louisville has a shot to keep things close.
- Freshman showdown: Boozer and Brown are two of the most dynamic young guards in the conference. Their head-to-head could be a fun subplot in what’s shaping up to be an intense matchup.
Tickets and Viewing Info
If you’re looking to catch this one in person, good luck-Duke home games are always a hot ticket, and this one’s no exception. The school has a waitlist program through GoDuke.com, with Iron Dukes members getting first dibs. On the secondary market, tickets are starting around $100 and climbing as high as $700+ depending on the platform and seat location.
For those watching from home, ESPN will carry the broadcast, and the game will also be available to stream via Fubo for subscribers.
Bottom Line
Duke is playing like a team with big aspirations, and they’ve looked every bit the part of an ACC frontrunner. But Louisville’s recent surge-and the return of Mikel Brown Jr.-adds a layer of intrigue to this rematch. If the Cardinals can keep their composure in a hostile environment and avoid the second-half collapse that doomed them earlier this month, they could make things interesting.
Still, with the way Boozer and company are playing, Duke has the edge. And at Cameron, under the lights, with ACC supremacy on the line? That’s where this young Blue Devils squad has thrived.