TheSabre.com Fan Friday: Virginia, Duke Prepare For ACC Showdown

Chances to play at Cameron Indoor Stadium don’t come around often. Chances to play against the No. 1 team in the country don’t either. When it’s both in the same day? Well, that’s an opportunity the Virginia basketball team has this weekend and the Hoos are looking forward to it.

No. 11 UVA travels to No. 1 Duke on Saturday in a battle between the top two teams in the ACC standings. The Cavaliers sit at 25-3 overall and 13-2 in the ACC, while the Blue Devils own a 26-2 overall record with a 14-1 mark in the ACC. The game is set for noon on ESPN.

“I think every time you lace it up, you have to be ready to play in this conference,” Virginia coach Ryan Odom said, “... We know the challenge that lies ahead there. The No. 1 team in the country, extremely well coached, extremely talented and together and tough. And so we’re going to have to play our best to have a chance to win.”

UVA has not played the No. 1 team in the country since Dec. 26, 2020 more than five years ago. It’s been even longer since the Hoos took on a top-ranked Duke team with the last occurence coming on Jan. 19, 2019 more than seven years ago. Virginia is 0-16 all time when facing the Blue Devils when they’re ranked No. 1.

With conference expansion, trips to Cameron Indoor Stadium are less frequent as well. The Wahoos last played there in 2024 and won there in 2022. UVA has just 12 wins in Durham in the series history.

Some of the lore of the building is tied to the proximity to the court for the students and the antics they pull during games. Whether than’s coordinated cheers, gimicks around passers on the sidelines, or other things, the Cameron Crazies can make it difficult on opposing players.

The famous college basketball venue is one that the current Cavaliers are looking forward to playing in Saturday.

“Really excited,” Virginia senior guard Dallin Hall said. “I remember going there when I was maybe right starting junior high school for an AAU tournament, being able to see Duke and always had a dream of wanting to play there. So it’s exciting. I know a lot of the guys feel the same way.”

Of course, the other hard part about playing at Duke is, well, Duke. The Blue Devils have risen to No. 1 in the polls and standings with wins over ranked teams throughout the schedule, starting with Kansas and Arkansas in November, Florida and Michigan State in December, and Michigan last weekend. They’ve also taken down ranked ACC teams during the conference schedule.

Cameron Boozer, a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Isaiah Evans, and Patrick Ngongba II all average in double digits for scoring with Boozer’s 22.7 leading the way. Offensively, the Devils rank 34th in scoring (83.0), 5th in offensive efficiency (1.198 points per possession), 17th in overall shooting percentage (49.8%), and 126th in 3-point shooting percentage (34.9%). Defensively, Duke ranks in the top 6 for scoring defense (No. 3/62.9), defensive efficiency (No. 2/0.907 points per possession) and opponent shooting percentage allowed (No. 6/39.2%).

In other words, the Blue Devils present a significant challenge.

Virginia is no slouch either. Offensively, the Cavaliers are 41st in scoring (82.3), 19th in efficiency (1.174 points per possession), 73rd in shooting percentage (46.8%), and 49th in 3-point shooting percentage (36.3%). Defensively, UVA is in the top 10 for opponent shooting percentage allowed (No. 8/39.3%), in the top 25 for opponent 3-point shooting percentage allowed (No. 19/30.0%) and defensive efficiency (No. 25/0.966 points per possession), and in the top 30 for scoring defense (No. 29/67.8).

Hall said the key to handling the atmosphere and the matchup itself is for the Hoos to stick together.

“I think the mentality for these kinds of games is like you’ve really got to stick together,” Hall said. “We know we’re going into a hostile environment, but ultimately regardless of who we play, we feel like when we really hone in on what makes our team special and we really put our focus and energy into that, that gives us the best chance to win. So obviously Duke, very good team, incredible venue, we don’t want to get lost in all of that. We just want to give them our respect, show up, stay together, and put our best foot forward.”

The showdown certainly has gotten the attention of college basketball followers this week. Whether that’s The Hoos On Podcast from TheSabre.com Podcast Network, CBS, or others, it’s been a hot topic.