No. 3 Duke defeated No. 1 Michigan 68-63 in a closely contested nonconference game at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Freshman Cameron Boozer led the Blue Devils with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Yaxel Lendeborg scored 21 points for the Wolverines. The victory improves Duke's record against top-ranked teams and positions them strongly for the postseason.
The matchup between No. 1 Michigan (25-1) and No. 3 Duke (24-2) lived up to its billing as a potential Final Four preview, delivering intense action from tipoff on February 22, 2026. Played at a neutral site, the game tipped off at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with both teams showcasing their elite talent in a back-and-forth affair.
Michigan started hot, shooting 8 of 10 from the field early, led by Yaxel Lendeborg's perfect 5-for-5 performance for 12 points in the opening minutes. Duke responded, taking a 22-21 lead into the under-12 timeout, with Caleb Foster contributing eight points. By halftime, Duke held a slim 35-33 advantage after Patrick Ngongba II sank two free throws in the final second. Lendeborg led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Boozer had nine points, three rebounds and four assists.
The second half saw Michigan's Aday Mara sidelined with three fouls and Elliot Cadeau dealing with a left forearm injury, testing the Wolverines' depth. Duke extended their lead to 41-38 early in the half, with Boozer continuing to facilitate. Michigan mounted a 7-0 run to close within 57-56 with under four minutes left, but struggled offensively, going 4-of-17 from the field in the second half and missing shots for nearly four minutes.
Duke sealed the win when Isaiah Evans made crucial free throws after a Michigan foul with 14.6 seconds remaining, making it a two-possession game at 68-63. Boozer finished with 18 points on efficient shooting, helping Duke improve to 11-21 against No. 1 teams historically. Michigan's Big Three of Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Mara combined for significant contributions, but foul trouble and cold shooting proved costly. This marks Duke's fourth straight win over Michigan, extending their series lead to 23-8.
