Duke vs UConn live updates, predictions, time, how to watch Elite 8 game

The final 2026 Final Four spot will come down to the marquee Elite Eight matchup between Duke and UConn. The two have combined for 11 national championships since 1991.

“You have two of the biggest brands in college basketball going at it to make it to the Final Four. I think it’s super special,” UConn forward Alex Karaban said. “I think it’s super exciting. I know we’re excited as a team. You’ve seen Duke. You’ve seen UConn throughout your entire life when you watch college basketball growing up. To be another piece of that story of those two programs going at it, I think it’s awesome.”

Sunday will be the first meeting between the schools since the 2014-15 season. They last met in a NCAA Tournament in 2004, with UConn winning 79-78.

Caleb Foster ‘had no business playing’: But he did — and led Duke to Elite 8

Duke vs UConn: ‘Two of the biggest brands in college basketball going at it to make Final Four’

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Dan Hurley: College basketball’s most animated head coach

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts with guard Malachi Smith (0) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts with UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts after defeating the UCLA Bruins in a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 20: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts against the Furman Paladins during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts against the Furman Paladins during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts after Braylon Mullins #24 of the UConn Huskies shot during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies looks on during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Here’s what you need to know about today’s Elite Eight game, including predictions and how to watch:

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UConn vs Duke basketball live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
UConn	—	—	—
Duke	—	—	—

What time is Duke vs UConn in Elite 8?

Time: 5:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 29.

What channel is Duke vs UConn? How to watch, streaming info

The game is airing on CBS, streaming via Paramount+.

Duke vs UConn Elite 8 prediction, odds

∎ Anna Snyder, Fayetteville Observer: Duke 70, UConn 68

Expect a physical, back-and-forth game, but with Caleb Foster back in the rotation, Duke has just enough offensive balance to edge UConn and make its way back to the Final Four.

Moneyline: Duke (-220); UConn (+180)

Duke will reach Final Four if…

John Leuzzi: It can keep UConn’s offense out of rhythm.
Jordan Mendoza: Out-muscles Connecticut.
Ehsan Kassim: Cam Boozer takes over.
Austin Curtright: If contains Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn will reach Final Four if…

John Leuzzi: Tarris Reed Jr. continues to impact the paint.
Jordan Mendoza: It shoots lights out.
Ehsan Kassim: It can continue to get Duke to turn the ball over.
Austin Curtright: Its bench can keep up with Duke’s deep rotation.

Caleb Foster injury update: Will Duke guard play vs UConn?

Twenty days after Foster fractured his right foot in a win against North Carolina, he returned to play Friday against St. John’s.

Foster came off the bench to score 11 points, corral three rebounds and dish out a pair of assists across 19 crucial minutes to spark the No. 1 Blue Devils’ 80-75 win against No. 5 St. John’s to reach the East Region finals.

He rolled out of the Duke locker room with his right foot wrapped in ice and his right knee perched atop a one-legged scooter, a bag of ice strapped and wrapped around his left calf for good measure.

“He’s doing well. For us, he’s not doing anything on the court (Saturday),” Scheyer said. “Even for these guys, it’s been more of a walk-through day getting ready. First time playing in a few weeks, he’s sore and recovering like you would expect, but nothing concerning.”

Cameron Boozer NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Boozer is widely projected as a top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at where various mock drafts from major outlets have the Duke freshman going:

Is Cameron Boozer related to Carlos Boozer?

Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden (also a freshman for Duke) are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.

Before his 13-year career in the NBA, Carlos Boozer was a standout forward for the Blue Devils under Mike Krzyzewski from 1999-2002. A member of Duke’s 2001 national championship team, Carlos Boozer finished his three-year career with the Blue Devils with more than 1,500 points scored and started 93 of the 101 games in which he appeared.

How old is Alex Karaban? How long has Alex Karaban been at UConn?

Karaban is 23 years old and enrolled at UConn in 2022. He was part of the Huskies’ 2023 and 2024 national championship teams.

Braylon Mullins 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 29 overall to Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald’s All American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup, but it may be tough for scouts to forget his 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc during his first game in March Madness.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here