Duke University is set to challenge its five-game winning streak as the Blue Devils face off against the No. 16 ranked Notre Dame on Sunday, January 4. Holding an overall record of 8-6 and boasting a perfect 3-0 in conference play, Duke has shown formidable strength in recent outings, with each of their last five victories coming by a margin of at least 15 points—averaging an impressive 32 points per win.
The Blue Devils’ six losses this season have been against some of the nation’s top teams, including LSU, UCLA, South Carolina, West Virginia, Baylor, and South Florida. Leading Duke’s offense is sophomore Toby Fournier, who is scoring an average of 17.5 points per game, while teammates Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair contribute 12.1 and 11.8 points respectively. Fournier also excels on the boards with an average of 7.4 rebounds per game and continues to be a strong defensive presence with 2.4 blocks. Mair, referred to as the floor general, averages 5.1 assists against 2.6 turnovers.
On the other hand, Notre Dame arrives in Durham following a close overtime loss to Georgia Tech. The Fighting Irish, with a record of 10-3 and 2-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), are led by standout Hannah Hidalgo, who averages 25.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while also excelling defensively with 6.1 steals per game. Teammate Cassandre Prosper adds significant support, scoring an average of 16.5 points and leading the team in rebounds with 7.1 per game.
Duke aims to secure its first ranked win of the year, with a historical record of 5-19 against Notre Dame. However, the Blue Devils will draw confidence from their most recent matchup, a 61-56 victory in the 2025 ACC Championship Semifinal. The rivalry has often been competitive, with recent games showcasing tight scorelines, as three of the last five contests have been decided by five or fewer points.
Recently, Duke’s performance has been marked by its prolific scoring, averaging 82.8 points in the last five contests while maintaining a scoring margin of +32.0. The Blue Devils have showcased resilience on the defensive end as well, limiting opponents to just 50.8 points per game and restricting their shooting to 32.6 percent from the field.
Fournier has been a key contributor during the winning streak, posting stellar averages of 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while maintaining effective play without foul trouble. Duke’s offensive depth has begun to shine, with four players consistently scoring in double digits and multiple players facilitating assists proficiently.
With a critical matchup ahead, Duke will also look to build momentum as they prepare for upcoming contests at California and Stanford. As fans rally behind the Blue Devils, they can keep up with the team’s journey via social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook under “DukeWBB.”