In a thrilling showdown, No. 3 Duke toppled No.
1 Michigan, marking their 11th all-time victory against a top-ranked team in the AP Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils secured a hard-fought 68-63 win, showcasing resilience and strategic prowess down the stretch.
With Michigan closing the gap to just one point with under four minutes left, Duke's freshman sensation, Cameron Boozer, stepped up in a big way. Boozer delivered when it mattered most, scoring seven of the team's final 11 points, including a crucial three-pointer with just under two minutes remaining. His performance was nothing short of clutch, finishing with an impressive 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
Michigan, powered by Yaxel Lendeborg's explosive 16-point first half, kept the contest tight and made several pushes in the second half. However, their efforts fell short, hampered by a tough shooting night-going just 6 of 25 from beyond the arc-and the challenge of keeping Aday Mara out of foul trouble. Duke's strategy to aggressively target Mara paid off, forcing Michigan into smaller lineups that Duke exploited effectively.
With this victory, Duke advances to 25-2 on the season, positioning themselves as a strong contender for the No. 1 overall seed. The win over Michigan, who was named the top seed earlier in the day, underscores Duke's potential and momentum as they head deeper into the season.
Stay tuned for more insights and analysis from Duke's exhilarating win over Michigan.