Duke topple top-ranked Michigan as Cameron Boozer stars in Washington
Cameron Boozer scored 18 points as number three Duke defeated top-ranked Michigan 68-63 in a heavyweight college basketball clash in Washington D.C.
Boozer delivers on the big stage
The Blue Devils ended the Wolverines’ 11-game winning streak in a raucous atmosphere at the Capital One Arena.
It marked a significant night of upsets in the AP Top 25.
With number two Houston losing earlier in the day, Saturday marked the first time since February 2025 that the nation’s top two ranked teams lost on the same date.
Boozer, watched from the stands by his father and former NBA star Carlos, proved decisive in the closing stages.
The talented forward drained a crucial three-pointer with just under two minutes remaining to give Jon Scheyer’s side a 64-58 lead.
Isaiah Evans provided strong support, adding 14 points for the Blue Devils as they improved their season record to 25-2.
Wolverines struggle from deep
Yaxel Lendeborg led the scoring for Michigan with 21 points.
However, Dusty May’s side struggled to find their usual offensive rhythm against a versatile Duke defence.
The Wolverines were uncharacteristically wasteful from the perimeter, converting just six of their 25 attempts from three-point range.
Duke also controlled the physical battle under the baskets.
The ACC powerhouse won the rebounding count 41-28, exposing soft spots in Michigan’s top-rated defence.
Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II added 12 and 11 points respectively for the victors.
A potential tournament preview
The matchup in the nation’s capital was widely billed as a possible Final Four rehearsal.
Ticket prices on the secondary market soared to $600 for upper-level seats ahead of tip-off.
Duke took a narrow 35-33 lead into half-time after Ngongba converted two free throws with less than a second on the clock.
Surprisingly, the Blue Devils never trailed again in the second half.
The result extends Duke’s unbeaten record against Michigan on neutral courts to 7-0.
The Wolverines have not recorded a victory over the Blue Devils since December 2009.