Duke vs Michigan Results: Cameron Boozer Lifts No. 3 Duke Past No. 1 Michigan 68-63 in Capital One Arena Classic

WASHINGTON — Cameron Boozer scored 18 points as No. 3 Duke defeated No. 1 Michigan 68-63 on Saturday night at Capital One Arena, handing the Wolverines their first loss in 11 games and reshaping the national title outlook in a matchup that carried Final Four implications.

The breaking update reverberated across the college basketball landscape. Michigan entered the night atop the AP Top 25 after replacing Arizona earlier in the week, but Duke’s execution in the final minutes delivered one of the most significant results of the season. Earlier Saturday, Arizona defeated No. 2 Houston, marking the first time since Feb. 8, 2025 that the top two ranked teams lost on the same day.

Boozer, playing in front of his father Carlos Boozer, the former Duke national champion and NBA veteran, hit a decisive three pointer with 1:55 remaining to extend Duke’s lead to 64-58. The freshman forward finished with 18 points and controlled key possessions late as the Blue Devils improved to 25-2 under coach Jon Scheyer.

Isaiah Evans added 14 points, Caleb Foster contributed 12, and Patrick Ngongba II scored 11. Ngongba’s two free throws with 0.8 seconds left in the first half gave Duke a 35-33 halftime lead, and the Blue Devils did not trail after the break.

Michigan, now 25-2 under second year coach Dusty May, was led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 21 points. The Wolverines, known for offensive balance and defensive discipline, struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 6 of 25 from three point range. Duke’s rebounding advantage proved decisive, as the Blue Devils won the battle on the glass 41-28 and limited Michigan to one shot possessions during critical stretches.

The latest turning point came midway through the second half when Duke capitalized on second chance opportunities and forced contested perimeter attempts. Michigan briefly closed within one possession, but Boozer’s late shot and disciplined defensive rotations sealed the outcome.

Historically, Duke has held the edge in the series, improving to 23-8 against Michigan and remaining unbeaten at 7-0 on neutral courts against the Wolverines. The programs had not met in 12 years, with their rivalry highlighted by the 1992 national championship game. Michigan has not defeated Duke since Dec. 6, 2009 in Ann Arbor.

From a tournament impact perspective, the result strengthens Duke’s case for a No. 1 seed while introducing questions about Michigan’s late game shot selection against elite defenses. The Blue Devils displayed versatility and interior strength, attributes that historically translate deep into March.

The atmosphere reflected the stakes. Fans split chants throughout the night, and upper level tickets reportedly reached 600 dollars, underscoring national interest in a potential postseason preview.

What this means moving forward is significant. Duke’s outlook now centers on maintaining momentum ahead of conference play and positioning for the East Regional, which returns to Capital One Arena next month. Michigan, meanwhile, will evaluate perimeter efficiency and rebounding consistency as it seeks to reclaim the top ranking.

Next steps include Michigan hosting Minnesota on Tuesday night, while Duke travels to Notre Dame.