Duke Men’s Basketball Aims for 10th Straight Win Against Notre Dame

Duke men’s basketball will host Notre Dame at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday, aiming to extend its winning streak to 10 games. The No. 4-ranked Blue Devils, led by head coach Jon Scheyer, face a Fighting Irish team struggling to find consistency this season. The game marks another chapter in a rivalry where Duke holds a commanding 31-8 all-time record.

Notre Dame last defeated Duke in 2020, when guard Prentiss Hubb sealed a 93-89 victory with a clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds. Since then, the Fighting Irish have struggled against the Blue Devils, including a narrow 68-64 loss in 2023. This year, Notre Dame enters the matchup with a 7-8 overall record and a 1-3 mark in the ACC, while Duke boasts a 13-2 record and a 7-3 conference standing.

Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry, hired in 2023, is looking to turn the tide. The Fighting Irish are led by sophomore guard Markus Burton and junior forward Tae Davis, who average 18.4 and 16.5 points per game, respectively. However, the team has faltered in close games, including recent one-point losses to North Carolina and N.C. State.

Duke, meanwhile, is riding high after a strong performance by freshman guard Kon Knueppel, who scored 17 points in their recent win over Pittsburgh. Knueppel’s 57.1% 3-point shooting was a key factor in the victory, though consistency remains a challenge for the young player. Against Kansas earlier this season, he struggled, missing all eight of his 3-point attempts.

Notre Dame’s Tae Davis, a junior forward, has been a bright spot for the team, averaging 16.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Davis excels in the paint and is a reliable free-throw shooter, converting 75.5% of his attempts. Duke’s defense will need to contain Davis to maintain control of the game.

The matchup will also test Notre Dame’s ability to handle pressure, both from Duke’s defense and the raucous Cameron Crazies. The Fighting Irish have shown vulnerability in late-game situations, a weakness Duke will look to exploit. With a win, Duke can solidify its position as a top contender in the ACC, while Notre Dame seeks to revive its season with a statement victory.