No. 1 Duke Blue Devils are riding high after a statement win and are set to face Notre Dame in South Bend on Tuesday night.
Fresh off a victory over then-No. 1 Michigan, Duke (25-2, 13-1 ACC) showcased their dominance under coach Jon Scheyer, marking their first win against a top-ranked team since toppling Gonzaga in 2021.
Despite some turnovers and missed free throws, Duke's inside game was on point, outscoring Michigan 34-24 in the paint and grabbing a 41-28 edge on the boards. The Blue Devils converted 18 second-chance points from 13 offensive rebounds, a testament to their relentless hustle.
Duke stands 30th nationally in rebounds per game (39.6) and boasts an impressive 61.6% shooting percentage inside the arc, ranking fourth in the nation. Their defense is equally formidable, allowing just 63.1 points per game, third-best in the country.
The frontcourt trio of Cameron Boozer, Patrick Ngongba II, and Nikolas Khamenia combined for a powerful 35 points and 25 rebounds against Michigan. Boozer continues to lead the ACC in scoring (22.6 ppg) and rebounding (10.0 rpg). Scheyer praised Ngongba's impact, noting his defensive presence and shot-altering abilities, which were crucial against the Wolverines.
Notre Dame (12-15, 3-11 ACC) presents the only losing record left on Duke's schedule, with tougher games looming against Virginia and rivals NC State and North Carolina. The Fighting Irish have struggled, dropping 11 of their last 13 games, including a recent 73-68 loss to Pittsburgh.
Notre Dame's downfall against Pitt was a dismal 3-point shooting night, hitting just 9 of 38 attempts. Their shooting woes have been a recurring theme, as they're now 2-9 when failing to hit at least 32% from deep.
Coach Micah Shrewsberry expressed frustration over the execution, acknowledging the team's struggles despite generating good looks. The Irish were without their top scorers, Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson, due to injuries.
With four games left, Notre Dame is teetering on the edge of missing the ACC Tournament, tied with Pitt for the final spot but trailing due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. As they prepare to host Duke, the Irish will need to regroup quickly to keep their postseason hopes alive.