No. 4 Duke University is set to face off against No. 20 Louisville for the second time this January, as they host the Cardinals at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Monday at 7 p.m., a game that will be broadcasted on ESPN.
Duke enters this matchup with an impressive record, having won 29 out of their last 30 games against conference opponents. They boast a strong home court advantage, with 26 consecutive home wins, including 13 against conference rivals, and a remarkable overall home record of 57-3 (.950) since coach Jon Scheyer took over.
The Blue Devils have proven themselves formidable this season, holding a 6-1 record against nationally-ranked opponents. They have achieved victories against No. 7 Michigan State, No. 15 Florida, and No. 22 Arkansas, among others. In the NCAA NET rankings, Duke is currently third and is tied for the national lead with eight Quad 1 wins, reflecting their successful performance against challenging competition.
Duke is among only two teams in the top-five nationally for both offensive efficiency (ranked 5th with a rating of 126.5) and defensive efficiency (also 5th with a rating of 92.8), according to KenPom. Additionally, they lead the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and rank seventh in the nation with a scoring margin of +20.5, while also topping the conference in rebounding margin (+9.6) and ranking 19th in scoring defense, allowing just 65.3 points per game.
The standout player for Duke, Cameron Boozer, leads the nation in scoring with an average of 23.7 points per game. He is making a significant impact in his freshman year, ranking third in the ACC for rebounding and showing consistent performance with ten games scoring 25 points or more. His recent performances include two consecutive games with over 30 points, making him the first Blue Devil to achieve this since RJ Barrett in 2019.
In their last game, Duke secured a solid win against Wake Forest, with Boozer contributing 32 points and the team dominating on the boards, outrebounding the Demon Deacons 43 to 22. This strong defensive effort was complemented by their ability to contain Wake Forest’s high-scoring offense, which had been averaging nearly 81 points per game.
Now facing Louisville, who boasts the highest-scoring offense in the ACC with an average of 87.8 points per game, Duke will need to maintain their defensive prowess. Louisville also leads the conference in three-point shooting, making 11.9 shots per game. This matchup promises to be thrilling as both teams bring a wealth of talent and strong statistics to the court.
Duke has historically fared well against Louisville, winning 11 of the last 14 meetings, including a current streak of eight victories against the Cardinals. The teams have faced each other when both were ranked 12 times, with Duke holding a slight edge in this rivalry.
As the Blue Devils look to extend their home winning streak and solidify their standing in both the ACC and nationally, fans are eagerly anticipating an action-packed game that highlights the competitive spirit and skill of collegiate basketball.