UConn Men's Basketball Shocks Rivals: Inside the Huskies' Road to a Repeat Final Four Run

Huskies Advance to Elite Eight After Michigan State Thriller UConn punched its ticket to the regional final by edging Michigan State 67-63 in a nail-biter that wrapped up just after midnight in Washington, D.C., thanks to clutch second-half buckets from Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. Head coach Dan Hurley called the victory “what this time of year is all about,” as the defending champs moved to 29-6 overall. Showdown With No. 1 Duke Set for Sunday Evening The Huskies now get a blue-blood battle with top overall seed Duke at 5:05 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill on the call. Oddsmakers list UConn as a 5.5-point underdog and give the Huskies a 37 percent win probability, the tightest spread of any Elite Eight matchup this year. Revisiting a Storied Rivalry Duke leads the all-time series 6-4, but UConn’s most famous win came in the 1999 national championship game when Jim Calhoun’s squad stunned a 37-1 Blue Devil team 77-74. Sunday marks the programs’ first NCAA Tournament meeting since 2015, heightening anticipation among fans of both powerhouse brands. Key Matchups and Players to Watch • Tristen Newton vs. Tyrese Proctor – Newton’s downhill attacks sparked UConn’s Sweet 16 surge, but he’ll face an elite on-ball defender in Proctor. • Donovan Clingan vs. Kyle Filipowski – The 7-2 Clingan anchors the nation’s No. 1 defense; keeping the versatile Filipowski off the glass is priority No. 1. • Bench Balance – Duke’s second unit averages 22 points; the Huskies counter with sharpshooter Stephon Castle and energy forward Samson Johnson. What’s at Stake and How to Watch A victory would send UConn to its third Final Four in six seasons under Hurley, while Duke is chasing its first title of the Jon Scheyer era. The winner heads to Indianapolis for the national semifinals on April 4. Fans can stream the game on Paramount+ or the March Madness Live app; radio coverage is available on the UConn Sports Network. Trending Takeaway “UConn vs. Duke is the kind of matchup you dream of,” freshman guard Solo Ball said. “It’s going to be fun, competitive, and we can’t wait to tip it off.” With search interest for “UConn men’s basketball” spiking nationwide, Sunday’s clash offers the Huskies a chance to extend their dynasty — and gives fans another chapter in one of college basketball’s most compelling rivalries.