Preview: Connecticut vs. Duke in NCAA Tournament Showdown

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A titanic clash between two of college basketball’s premier programs will decide a spot in the Final Four when the second-seeded Connecticut Huskies face the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament’s East Regional final on Sunday.

The matchup at Capital One Arena pits the defending national champion Huskies (32-5) against a Blue Devils squad (35-2) that has spent most of the season ranked No. 1. Connecticut, seeking its third title in four years, advanced with a gritty 67-63 win over Michigan State on Friday. Duke held off a challenge from Saint John’s, 80-75, the same night.

The Huskies are powered by forward Alex Karaban, who scored 17 points in the Sweet 16 victory and is averaging 19.3 points over his last three games. His versatility will be critical against Duke’s formidable frontcourt.

The Blue Devils counter with high-scoring wing Isaiah Evans, who poured in 25 points against Saint John’s and is capable of explosive performances, evidenced by a 32-point outing earlier this month. He is complemented by star forward Cameron Boozer, who had 22 points and 3 assists in the regional semifinal.

Connecticut’s path featured a dominant 73-57 win over UCLA but also a puzzling 72-52 loss at Saint John’s on March 14. Duke’s resume is marked by consistency, with its only losses coming in early non-conference play and a narrow conference tournament defeat. The Blue Devils have won 16 straight games, last falling on Feb. 18.

This will be the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the schools since 1999. The winner advances to the national semifinals in Indianapolis.

Sunday’s game tips off at 2:20 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on CBS.