In the heart of Washington, D.C., Silas Demary Jr. is gearing up for a matchup that hits close to home. The UConn guard, hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, is about to face Duke in the Elite 8 of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.
Despite growing up just a stone's throw from the Blue Devils, Demary wasn't on their radar during his high school days. It wasn't until after two seasons at the University of Georgia that Duke showed interest, but Demary chose to join Dan Hurley and the Huskies instead.
For Demary, this game is more than just another tournament clash. "Playing against a team from where I'm from is something I've always wanted," he shared. "It's like a dream come true."
Demary's connections to Duke run deeper than geography. He's crossed paths with Duke's Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans through the North Carolina AAU circuit and various camps.
Foster's return to the court in the Sweet 16, just 19 days post-surgery for a broken foot, didn't surprise Demary. "Caleb's a warrior," he said.
"He's playing through it, and he's obviously a great player."
Sunday's game also marks Demary's first encounter with Evans on the court. Evans expressed his respect for Demary, highlighting the pride of their shared North Carolina roots.
Demary himself isn't at full strength, dealing with an ankle sprain and sporting a walking boot. Coach Dan Hurley noted that Demary is playing at about 70%, having missed UConn's opener against Furman but contributing in the last two games. Despite the setback, he's the Huskies' fifth-leading scorer, averaging 10.4 points per game.
"We're in awe of what Silas is doing," Hurley remarked. "He hasn't taken a live rep in practice since the Big East Championship. He's a true gamer and warrior."
As the clock ticks down to the 5:05 p.m. ET tipoff at Capital One Arena, fans can expect an intense showdown, with Demary ready to showcase his grit and hometown pride on the national stage.