In a thrilling showdown at Capital One Arena, the echoes of "Let's go Duke" and "Let's go Blue" created an electric atmosphere as the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines faced off against the No.
3 Duke Blue Devils. The game reached a pivotal moment with 8:42 left on the clock when Duke's star forward, Cameron Boozer, picked up his fourth foul, sending Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. to the free throw line.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer, wanting to preserve Boozer for the crucial moments, decided to bench him temporarily. Down by seven, Michigan had a golden opportunity to capitalize with Boozer sidelined. Johnson calmly sank both free throws, and a subsequent errant pass from Duke handed the Wolverines another chance to seize momentum.
Michigan fans erupted, sensing a shift, but Duke was not ready to back down. Despite Boozer's absence, the Blue Devils matched Michigan's intensity, maintaining their defensive tenacity and offensive output. After a few tense minutes, Scheyer reintroduced Boozer to the game, who quickly made his presence felt with seven points, two rebounds, and a block, helping Duke secure a stunning upset.
Michigan head coach Dusty May reflected on the missed opportunities, noting, "When Boozer goes out, you gotta find a way to capitalize, and we weren’t able to do that." The Wolverines struggled from beyond the arc, with junior guard Elliot Cadeau missing all five of his attempts, a microcosm of their shooting woes.
During Boozer's absence, Duke's guards Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster stepped up, hitting crucial midrange shots, while forwards Maliq Brown and Patrick Ngongba provided key defensive plays. Even without their leader, Duke's defense held Michigan to just six points in that stretch, showcasing their resilience.
Boozer's return was marked by a crucial three-pointer, his first of the day, extending Duke's lead to six. Although Michigan fought back, closing the gap to three, Boozer's impact was undeniable. As the clock wound down, Boozer continued to dominate, scoring seven of Duke's final 11 points.
With mere seconds remaining, Evans sealed the victory from the free throw line, while Boozer, now a spectator, cheered his teammates on from half-court. His all-around performance, filled with assists, rebounds, and clutch scoring, underscored his importance to the team's success.
Coach Scheyer praised Boozer's contributions, saying, "This guy’s doing everything, assists, rebounds, scoring it, taking care of the ball. We can’t have him getting in foul trouble, but we’re really proud of this win."
In the end, Duke's 68-63 triumph over Michigan was a testament to their depth and determination, with Boozer leading the charge and his teammates rising to the occasion when it mattered most.