As we gear up for the much-anticipated showdown between the No. 3 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines in Washington, D.C., the pre-game chatter is already heating up.
Michigan's junior guard, Elliot Cadeau, has added some spice to the mix following the Wolverines' commanding victory over the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers.
Cadeau, when asked about the atmosphere at Purdue compared to Duke's famed Cameron Indoor Stadium, didn't hold back. "I'd say Cameron is more intense just because of personal reasons, the rivalry, but I think this place is louder than Cameron," he remarked.
Cadeau's familiarity with Duke runs deep, having spent two years with their arch-rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels. His experiences at Cameron Indoor have been less than victorious, adding an extra layer to his comments and setting the stage for a fiery encounter.
Last season, under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke managed to outplay Cadeau's Tar Heels in all their meetings, a fact that surely lingers in the minds of both Cadeau and the Blue Devils.
Michigan's season has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting a 25-1 record and the top ranking in the nation. Yet, the road they've traveled hasn't been as treacherous as Duke's. The Blue Devils have faced a challenging schedule, emerging with a strong 24-2 record and eight victories against top-25 teams.
This weekend's clash offers Duke a chance to add another significant win to their impressive resume. The game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m.
ET on Saturday, Feb. 21, right after ESPN's College GameDay kicks off the day's excitement in D.C. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN.
Get ready for a game that promises intensity, skill, and perhaps a bit more of that pre-game banter.