No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 3 Duke Preview: matchups, how to watch, what to look out for

SACRAMENTO – The stage is set in Sacramento and No. 1-seeded UCLA will face off against No. 3-seeded Duke Sunday for a chance to advance to the Final Four and take one step closer to NCAA glory.

The two teams have faced off once before this season on Nov. 27, 2025 in Las Vegas during the Player’s Era Championship, a game that ended 30 points in UCLA’s favor 89-59. But, November was a long time ago and UCLA head coach Cori Close knows that neither she nor her team can be complacent.

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“These are two completely different teams.. credit to them [Duke]. They’ve done a marvelous job with their team and how they’re playing right now and the connectivity that they’re playing with,” Close said during a media availability. “I think we’re a lot different and better too. It’s going to be a matter of who can play to their identity best.”

How the Blue Devils and Bruins got here

The Blue Devils are coming into Sunday’s game riding a serious momentum high after a thrilling Sweet 16 upset against LSU on Friday that went right down to the wire and ended with a buzzer-beater from senior guard Ashlon Jackson.

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Understandably, it was tough for the Blue Devils to get some sleep after one of the most thrilling games of the entire season, but with one day in between games to rest and recuperate, they’ll be sure to head into Sunday at full strength against their toughest challenge yet in the dominant Bruins, who advanced after a 24-point takedown of Minnesota on Friday.

Duke Blue Devils guard Ashlon Jackson (3) celebrates with forward Delaney Thomas (12) and forward Toby Fournier (35) after making a game-winning shot against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center.

Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Duke Blue Devils guard Ashlon Jackson (3) celebrates with forward Delaney Thomas (12) and forward Toby Fournier (35) after making a game-winning shot against the Louisiana State Tigers during a…

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Publish date : 2026-03-28 20:51:00

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