ACC Clash of the Titans: Duke Heads to Louisville for Battle of the Unbeatens
Circle Thursday night on your calendar-because this one’s got all the makings of a classic. No.
17 Duke heads to No. 6 Louisville for a primetime showdown between two ACC powerhouses who haven’t tasted defeat in conference play.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, and if you’re a fan of high-level women’s college basketball, this is appointment viewing.
Duke’s Rolling-and Making History Along the Way
Let’s start with the Blue Devils, who come into this one riding a 13-game win streak. That’s the longest run of success under head coach Kara Lawson and the best stretch since the 2012-13 squad opened the season 16-0.
Even more impressive? Duke is 11-0 in ACC play, the program’s best start in conference under Lawson and just the second time since 2012-13 that the team has hit double-digit ACC wins without a loss.
At 16-6 overall, Duke’s only setbacks have come against elite competition-teams like LSU, UCLA, and South Carolina, all currently ranked in the top five of the NET rankings. So while the record shows six losses, the resume speaks to a team that’s been battle-tested and sharpened by some of the nation’s best.
Fournier Leading the Charge
Sophomore forward Toby Fournier has taken a star turn this season, leading Duke in scoring with 17.7 points per game. She’s also pulling down 7.9 rebounds and swatting away 2.1 shots a night, making her one of the most complete forwards in the country. There’s no sophomore slump here-Fournier has become the offensive engine and defensive anchor for the Blue Devils.
She’s getting plenty of help, too. Taina Mair is stuffing the stat sheet with 11.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game in what’s shaping up to be a breakout year. Ashlon Jackson, the senior captain, is doing a bit of everything-dropping 11.9 points per game, leading the team with 46 threes, and dishing out 4.5 assists while often taking on the toughest perimeter defensive assignments.
Delaney Thomas and Arianna Roberson are also making their presence felt in the paint. Thomas is shooting a blistering 63% from the floor and averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Roberson adds 8.7 points, 6.1 boards, and 1.3 blocks per game. Together with Fournier, they form a frontcourt trio that’s physical, skilled, and relentless on the glass.
History Not on Duke’s Side-But Momentum Is
Here’s the wrinkle: Duke has never won on the road at Louisville. The Blue Devils are 0-5 all-time in games played at the Cardinals’ home court.
Overall, Duke is 2-4 against Louisville under Lawson, but they do hold the most recent win-a 61-48 victory in the 2025 ACC Championship. Their last regular-season win over the Cards came back in 2022-23 at Cameron Indoor.
So, can this red-hot Duke team finally break through in Louisville? If there was ever a time, it’s now.
Defense Making the Difference
Duke’s calling card all season has been defense, and that was on full display in their last outing against Wake Forest. Delaney Thomas led the charge with a career-high eight steals-tied for seventh-most in a single game in program history. As a team, Duke racked up 19 steals, the most in a game since the 2016-17 season.
Fournier and Roberson both posted double-doubles in that win, continuing their strong interior play and giving Duke a consistent edge in the paint.
Lawson vs. the Top 25
Thursday marks the sixth time this season Duke will face a ranked opponent, and the 54th such matchup since Kara Lawson took over in 2020-21. Her teams have gone 22-32 in those games, including a 10-4 mark against teams ranked between No. 6 and No.
- Against top-five teams, however, the Blue Devils are still searching for that elusive first win under Lawson (0-14).
On the road against ranked opponents, Duke is 6-15 during Lawson’s tenure. So, while the numbers suggest a tough hill to climb, this team has shown it can hang with-and beat-top-tier competition.
A Heavyweight Matchup
Louisville comes into this one just as hot, riding a 14-game win streak of their own. Both teams haven’t lost since Dec. 4, and both are sitting undefeated atop the ACC standings.
This is only the 11th time since 1999-00 that two teams have met in February or later with perfect conference records. It's rare air, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Offensively, both squads are humming-each averaging close to 80 points per game in league play. Expect fireworks.
Jackson’s All-Around Impact
Ashlon Jackson might not be lighting it up from deep the way she has in past seasons, but her impact on this team is undeniable. She’s doubled her assist average from last year and is averaging 5.3 dimes over the last 13 games. She’s also upped her rebounding by nearly 50%, with six games of five or more boards-including her first double-digit effort.
After a slow start from beyond the arc-just 27.2% through the first seven games-Jackson has found her stroke. Over the last 15 games, she’s shooting 36.2% from three, including 38.6% in ACC play.
With 208 career threes, she ranks fourth all-time at Duke, and her 588 attempts are third. She’s a veteran leader who’s finding ways to contribute even when the shots aren’t falling.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just about bragging rights or keeping a streak alive. Thursday night could go a long way in shaping the ACC regular-season title race-and seeding for the conference tournament. For Duke, it’s also a chance to prove they can win a big one on the road, against a top-tier opponent, in a tough environment.
We’ll see if the Blue Devils can rise to the moment. One thing’s for sure: they’re bringing momentum, confidence, and a whole lot of talent into Louisville.
Get your popcorn ready.