Duke Looks to Bounce Back at Pitt in Familiar ACC Clash
Duke heads into Tuesday night’s matchup against Pittsburgh with something to prove. After a gut-punch loss to rival North Carolina, the Blue Devils are looking to reset and refocus as they hit the road for a showdown with a familiar face - former Duke standout and current Pitt head coach Jeff Capel III.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, with the game airing on ESPN and streaming available on Fubo.
A Chance to Rebound After Tobacco Road Heartbreak
Duke’s 71-68 loss to UNC still stings. The Blue Devils led for nearly the entire game before a late 9-0 Tar Heel run - capped by a clutch Seth Trimble three - flipped the script in the final seconds. It was a classic rivalry game with all the drama you’d expect, but for Duke, it marked just their second loss of the season and a reminder that no lead is ever safe in the ACC.
Now sitting at 21-2 overall and 10-1 in conference play, the Blue Devils remain tied atop the ACC standings with Clemson. Despite the loss, they held steady in the national rankings - No. 4 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the Coaches Poll - and still control their destiny in the league race.
Familiar Faces, Different Sidelines
Tuesday night offers more than just a chance to bounce back. It’s a reunion of sorts between Duke and Capel, who played for the Blue Devils in the '90s and later served as an assistant under Coach K before taking over at Pitt. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Capel has been trying to rebuild the Panthers into a consistent ACC threat, but this season has been a rough ride.
Pitt enters the game at 9-15 overall and 2-9 in conference play, riding a three-game losing streak. The Panthers have dropped recent contests to Clemson (63-52), Virginia (67-47), and SMU (86-67), and they’re looking for a spark to turn things around.
History on Duke’s Side - But Not Without a Warning
Duke leads the all-time series against Pitt 14-6 and has won eight of the last ten meetings. But the Blue Devils don’t need to look far back to find a reminder that this matchup can get tricky.
The last time these two teams met, Pitt pulled off a stunner in Durham, winning 80-76 during the 2023-24 season. That game proved Capel’s squad can rise to the occasion - especially when overlooked.
Given the Blue Devils' recent stumble and Pitt’s desperation for a win, this one has the makings of a sneaky test for Duke.
The Road Ahead
After Tuesday’s trip to Pittsburgh, Duke returns home for a key stretch that includes matchups against Clemson, Syracuse, and a neutral-site game against Michigan in Washington D.C. With the ACC Tournament looming in early March, every game matters - not just for seeding, but for building momentum heading into the postseason.
Here’s a look at Duke’s remaining schedule:
- Feb. 10: at Pittsburgh
- Feb. 14: vs.
Clemson
- Feb. 16: vs.
Syracuse
- Feb. 21: vs.
Michigan (Duel in the District, Washington D.C.)
- Feb. 24: at Notre Dame
- Feb. 28: vs. Virginia
- March 2: at NC State
- March 7: vs.
North Carolina
- March 10-14: ACC Tournament (Charlotte)
Bottom Line
Duke has been one of the most consistent teams in the country this season, but the loss to UNC served as a wake-up call. Tuesday night’s game against Pitt is less about revenge and more about response.
Can the Blue Devils shake off the heartbreak and get back to business? Or will Pitt play spoiler once again?
We’ll find out under the lights in Pittsburgh.