Duke defeats top-ranked Michigan. Observations from a top-5 clash.

Chip Alexander, The News & Observer on Feb 21, 2026

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WASHINGTON — Michigan was ranked No. 1 in the nation and Duke was No. 3, but that was in the AP poll.

Nearly everyone else, and nearly every metric, have the Wolverines and Blue Devils 1-2, the two best teams in the country with February coming to and March just ahead.

It almost seemed fitting that the two would meet Saturday in the Capital Showcase at Capital One Arena. In a nonconference game that had all the feels of a Final Four matchup, with some high-quality, fiercely competitive play, the Blue Devils emerged with a 68-63 victory.

The game not only was a matchup of two elite teams but two of the nation’s best players in Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg. Boozer, who is more about power at 6-9 and 250 finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and Lendeborg had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Wolverines.

The Blue Devils (25-2) learned what it’s like to play with Boozer in foul trouble in the second half. Boozer’s fourth personal foul came with 8:42 left and Duke leading 53-46, the first time since the Michigan State game in early December that the big man had been charged with more than three.

Boozer returned with 4:47 left in the game and Duke holding a 57-53 lead, but a Lendeborg 3-pointer made it a one-point game. Boozer later answered with a 3 of his own, and later pushed Duke ahead 66-61 with 1:01 to play after a goal-tending call against the Wolverines was confirmed after review.

With Duke leading 66-63 with 14.6 seconds remaining, the Devils’ Isaiah Evans made both ends of a one-and-one at the line to seal it. Evans, who had 14 points, later dunked at the buzzer to finish it off.

The Wolverines rolled into D.C. ranked at the top this week, 25-1 overall after 11 straight wins and a 15-1 Big Ten record. It’s a team with some swagger to it, with a legit player of the year candidate in Lendeborg and a team with length and strength.

Michigan and Duke were 1-2 in defensive efficiency, according to the recent KenPom rankings, and have been stifling teams. But Michigan’s transition game gave Duke problems at times and the Blue Devils were effective with their drives to the lane and kicks.

Not that anything came easily, for either team. Boozer had a couple of shots swatted away and once crashed to the floor attempting a dunk as Lendeborg slammed into him.

Boozer picked up his third foul five minutes into the second half. Dame Sarr missed a driving dunk attempt and Boozer, chasing after the loose ball, was called for a third personal foul in the scramble.

Here are observations from the Duke win:

Lendeborg impressive

Lendeborg is as complete a player as the Blue Devils have faced this season

At 6-9 and 240 pounds, he has the quickness and agility of someone shorter and lighter. He’s smooth. He’s not lacking confidence. He can score inside and out, with nice moves around the basket.

In the first half Saturday, Lendeborg airballed a 3-pointer from the right wing, in front of the Duke bench. He shook his head in that direction — a “no problem” kind of motion.

The next time down the court, Lendeborg again got the ball on the right wing. Boozer backed off a step, Lendeborg again took the 3 — a swish. This time, there was a hint of smile as he ran back on defense.

Lendeborg had 16 of the Wolverines’ 33 first-half points, with a pair of 3-pointers.

Ngongba was inconsistent

Duke needs smoother offensive play from Patrick Ngongba II, who at times Saturday seemed indecisive with the ball.

On some plays, Ngongba made the wrong decisions with his ballhandling and passing. Isolated on one first-half play, he muscled his way toward the basket, only to pivot and lose the ball.

Back to basket and in the paint, Ngongba can be a handful for opponents. He has a dependable jump hook and can finish. Putting the ball on the floor is not always wise for the 6-11 sophomore.

Ngongba takes an occasional 3-pointer and did with Duke leading by five points with 10:40 left in the second half. And missed — not good timing for a 3-ball.

Challenging night for Cadeau

Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau had an interesting night — at least at the start.

The former North Carolina guard was booed by Duke fans. That was expected.

Cadeau had an early lob pass to 7-3 Aday Mara for the first basket of the game, but then put up a couple of early 3s, both bricked. He added a few more in the second half.

Late in the first half, play suddenly was stopped as Cadeau, in pain, left the floor and headed to the Michigan bench. Treated by the team trainers, he did return before the half ended but was scoreless in 13 minutes.

Cadeau had Sarr on him defensively a lot of the game and scored his first points with 9:17 left at the foul line

Cadeau transferred to Michigan after two years in Chapel Hill and has had a productive first season as the Wolverines dominated the Big Ten and moved up in the polls.

Cadeau finished with eight points on 1-of-8 shooting against Duke on Saturday night.