Duke and Arizona Clash in NCAA Sweet 16 Showdown

NEWARK, N.J. — The Duke Blue Devils, fresh off dominating victories in the NCAA Tournament, are set to face the Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the East Region on March 27. Duke, boasting a record of 33-3, has scored an average winning margin of 33.5 points in their first two tournament games. Arizona, seeded fourth, enters the matchup after staging a comeback against Oregon to secure their spot.

As anticipated, the game kicks off at 10:03 PM ET at the Prudential Center. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer’s squad stands out with prominent players like Cooper Flagg and Tyrese Proctor, both of whom have shown remarkable form this March. Flagg has consistently filled the stat sheet while Proctor has made headlines with 13 three-pointers in the tournament.

Maliq Brown, a key defender for the Blue Devils, will return after missing the last four games due to a shoulder injury. His presence is expected to strengthen Duke’s defense as they aim to neutralize Arizona’s attack led by Caleb Love, who is averaging 19.2 points per game.

The Blue Devils’ recent performance has solidified their status as tournament favorites. “We’re not looking too far ahead; the focus is on Arizona,” Scheyer stated in a pre-game press conference. “Every game poses its challenges, and they’re a formidable opponent.”

Meanwhile, Arizona will be looking to leverage their high-scoring offense, averaging an impressive 88.5 points in their 24 wins this season. Head coach Tommy Lloyd reflected on the importance of the upcoming battle, saying, “We know Duke is an elite team, but we’re ready to compete. Each game is a new opportunity.”

Duke has improved significantly since their earlier defeat to Arizona early in the season, showcasing both offensive depth and defensive tenacity. The Wildcats, although faced with injuries—including the absence of Motiejus Krivas—will rely on veteran players to step up.

The victor of Tuesday night’s contest will advance to face the second-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide, who recently set an NCAA Tournament record with 25 three-pointers in their win over BYU. As both teams gear up for this pivotal clash, fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be a thrilling encounter.