Can No. 17 Duke Women’s Basketball Upset No. 6 Louisville in Clash of ACC Unbeaten?

No. 17 Duke women’s basketball travels to the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night for one of the most anticipated games of the ACC season, facing No. 6 Louisville in a matchup between the conference’s last two undefeated teams. Duke enters the contest riding an 11-game ACC winning streak, while Louisville has been equally dominant, protecting its home court and conference record. Both teams have built their success on elite defense. Duke is allowing just over 59 points per game, narrowly edging Louisville’s defensive average. The Cardinals counter with a balanced offense led by Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler, while the Blue Devils rely on sophomore Toby Fournier and a deep supporting cast that includes Ashlon Jackson, Taina Mair, and Riley Nelson. Louisville’s résumé may give it an edge. The Cardinals have notched multiple wins over ranked opponents, while Duke is still searching for a signature victory against a current top-25 team. Several analysts believe that experience in high-pressure games — including Louisville’s narrow loss to South Carolina earlier this season — could prove decisive in a close contest.

However, Duke’s recent form suggests the Blue Devils are not the same team that stumbled early in the season. Head coach Kara Lawson has guided a dramatic turnaround, with Duke showing improved chemistry, defensive toughness, and composure in road wins against teams such as Miami and Stanford. Fournier’s scoring ability, combined with Nelson and Mair’s all-around play, gives Duke a legitimate chance to steal a win in one of the ACC’s toughest venues.

Predictions among analysts remain split. Some favor Louisville due to home-court advantage and a stronger schedule, projecting a narrow Cardinals victory fueled by offensive depth and crowd energy. Others see Duke’s momentum and hunger for a marquee win as the deciding factor, forecasting a defensive battle that tilts in the Blue Devils’ favor late. Regardless of the outcome, Thursday’s game figures to be a defining moment for both programs. With conference supremacy and national perception at stake, Duke and Louisville are set to deliver a matchup that could foreshadow another meeting in March.