Duke plays up to No. 1 ranking. Observations from win at Notre Dame.

Chip Alexander, The News & Observer on Feb 24, 2026

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — When you’re No. 1, in any sport, you get the other team’s best shot.

No. 1 teams know it, expect it. Duke knew it coming into its road game Tuesday against Notre Dame.

But sometimes, the other team’s best shot isn’t enough against No. 1. The Blue Devils, who took over the top spot in the AP poll on Monday, cruised to a 100-56 victory at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center.

For Duke, there would be no letdown or lack of focus after their hard-earned 68-63 win over Michigan, then No. 1, on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

By the first media break, the Blue Devils had a 16-4 lead, sapping a lot of energy out of a packed arena filled with Irish fans wanting to take out No. 1, maybe storm the court.

But Duke made its first five shots. Everyone was touching the ball on offense, and it was apparent from the start the Irish had no one to match up or slow Cameron Boozer.

Boozer had 20 points and nine rebounds — at halftime. By game’s end, the freshman’s numbers were 24 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.

Make it another double-double, which have become routine for the big man, who was 12 of 14 at the foul line as the Irish pounded on him in the paint.

It was 20-4, Duke, before the Irish finally got a 3-pointer to drop by Brady Koehler and create a few cheers. But Notre Dame missed 11 of their 13 shots from distance in the opening half while the Devils were 8 of 16 on 3s in taking a 54-22 lead.

The Blue Devils (26-2, 14-1 ACC), who host No. 11 Virginia on Saturday, had a few sloppy turnovers and were called for several touch fouls applying their defense. It wasn’t always pretty basketball but easily winning basketball this night at snowy Notre Dame.

It’s been a tough go, a most challenging season, for Notre Dame (12-16, 3-12) and third-year coach Micah Shrewsberry. The Irish now have dropped 12 of their last 14 games, a losing streak that has them in jeopardy of missing the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.

The toughest of the spate of losses was a 100-97 double-overtime thriller against Virginia at Purcell Pavilion. That one really stung, and the Irish have been playing most of the year without injured guard Markus Burton, who likely will not suit up against this season.

Jarad Haralson, a 6-7 freshman who has had a solid first season, also was out Tuesday with an injury. With their top two leading scorers — Burton 18.5 points a game and Haralson 15.5 — the Irish did not have enough offensive firepower and hurt themselves by missing free throws.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer was able to go to his bench often and switch things up. He also used a timeout with four seconds left in the first half — Notre Dame fans booing with the score 51-22 — to set up a play.

Caleb Foster, open on the left wing, promptly swished a 3-pointer and the Devils headed to the locker room with a 32-point lead. It was 81-41 with 10 minutes to play as Duke continued to have its way against the outmanned Irish, who did compete for 40 minutes.

Some observations from the game:

No hangover effect from Michigan

Hangover? What hangover?

Beating top-ranked Michigan was impressive and it was an intense, gritty, emotional game for both teams, both national contenders looking to prove a point.

But Duke has been a good team at staying on task, not looking back or ahead. It was an ACC road game to be won at Notre Dame and the Blue Devils did it methodically.

The Blue Devils’ defense may not have been as sticky and stifling in the second half but the game had been decoded and the Irish loose after coming off slightly dazed in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Everyone plays, contributes

One thing about a blowout win is that everyone gets their minutes.

The Devils had gone nine deep by halftime as Scheyer liberally substituted. Guard Darren Harris, who did not see the floor against Michigan, was the ninth in the game and quickly got in on the scoring.

Harris drained a 3-pointer in the second half and lightly popped himself in the face in celebration. The 6-5 sophomore was getting a chance to play and contributing, albeit in a romp.

Later in the half, Harris made a quick move to the paint and found Foster open on the wing for a 3. Harris was one of five Duke players in double figures with 16, hitting two free throws to get Duke to 100 points.

Tough to lose Burton

Notre Dame’s Markus Burton is one of the ACC’s most dynamic players and an injury has robbed him of all but 10 games this season.

Burton had 23 points and knocked down four 3s at Duke last season. He can carry an offense and make electrifying plays and a variety of moves and shots.

Shrewsberry said this week that just a few games left, it was probably best to keep Burton, who had ankle surgery in December, out the remainder of the season. But it had to be killing Burton to sit and watch the Blue Devils beat up the Irish on Tuesday.

Notre Dame has eight wins over teams ranked No. 1, ending UCLA’s 88-game win streak in 1974. But No. 9 will have to wait.