The Connecticut Huskies will take on the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament Elite Eight. This game will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington DC. Fans can catch the action on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET on CBS.
The Huskies, ranked #7 in the AP poll, have had a strong season. They finished the 2026 regular season with a 29-5 overall record and a 19-4 record in the Big East Conference. Last postseason, they made it to the second round before losing to Florida.
The Blue Devils are ranked #1 and have been dominant this season. They ended the 2026 regular season with a 32-2 overall record and a 20-1 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they reached the Final Four but fell to Houston.
Duke Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are ranked number one in the AP rankings. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an impressive overall record of 32 wins and 2 losses. Their conference record was 20 wins and 1 loss.
In the 2025 postseason, Duke had a strong run. They won against Mount St. Mary’s, Baylor, Arizona, and Alabama. However, they lost to Houston in the Final Four with a score of 70-67.
Duke’s offensive stats in the 2026 regular season were notable. They scored an average of 82.3 points per game. Their field goal percentage was 49.0, and they made 9.1 three-pointers per game. They also averaged 40.3 rebounds and 16.7 assists per game.
Key players contributed to Duke’s success. Cameron Boozer led with 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Isaiah Evans added 14.9 points per game. Patrick Ngongba II was strong with 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. These players helped Duke maintain their top ranking.
Connecticut Preview
The Connecticut Huskies are ranked #7 in the AP poll. They play in the Big East Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Oklahoma in the first round but lost to Florida in the second round.
In the 2026 regular season, the Huskies had a record of 29-5. Their conference record was 19-4. They scored an average of 77.5 points per game, ranking 159th in the nation.
The team had strong shooting stats, with a field goal percentage of 48.2 and an effective field goal percentage of 55.4. They made 8.3 three-pointers per game. Their free throw percentage was 71.6.
On defense, the Huskies averaged 6.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game. They had 10.7 turnovers per game. They committed 18 fouls per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Duke vs Connecticut
The game between Duke and Connecticut will be shaped by their offensive and defensive stats. Duke’s high scoring and rebounding could give them an edge. Connecticut’s strong shooting and assist numbers will be key for them. Both teams have solid defensive stats, which could make the game competitive.
- Duke Points Per Game: 82.3
- Connecticut Points Per Game: 77.5
- Duke Field Goal Percentage: 49.0%
- Connecticut Field Goal Percentage: 48.2%
- Duke Rebounds Per Game: 40.3
- Connecticut Rebounds Per Game: 36.6
- Duke Assists Per Game: 16.7
- Connecticut Assists Per Game: 18.4
- Duke Steals Per Game: 7.7
- Connecticut Steals Per Game: 6.9
Betting Insights
The Connecticut Huskies and Duke Blue Devils are set for an exciting game. Both teams have shown strong performances in recent games. Bettors will find interesting trends to consider before placing their bets. Below are the top five betting trends for this game.
- Duke is 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games.
- Connecticut is 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games.
- Duke is 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Connecticut has gone under the total in their last 5 games.
- Duke has gone over the total in 7 of their last 10 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Duke vs Connecticut
Duke enters the game as the favorite, with a strong record and top ranking. Their offensive power, led by Cameron Boozer, could be a deciding factor. Duke’s ability to score and rebound well gives them an edge over Connecticut.
Connecticut, ranked #7, has shown they can compete with top teams. Their strong shooting and assist numbers are strengths. However, they may struggle against Duke’s high-scoring offense and solid defense.
Considering both teams’ stats and recent performances, Duke is likely to win. Their scoring and rebounding advantages could be too much for Connecticut to overcome. The game could be close, but Duke’s strengths may lead them to victory.
- Our Free Prediction: Duke -5.5
