Duke's Women's Basketball Team Seeks Ultimate Shock Win in Elite NCAATourney!
It's Duke women's basketball vs. Charleston in March Madness to open the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Here's what to know about the first-round game.
The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament brackets have been revealed and Duke has earned a No. 3 seed in the Sacramento 2 Regional. The Blue Devils (24-8) will host Charleston (27-5) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham on Friday.
Duke is coming off its second straight ACC Tournament championship. BRACKET CHALLENGE: Think you can beat our expert? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today SURVIVOR POOL: Ready to win March Madness?
Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today! Duke won the ACC regular-season title despite dropping two of its last three games: The Blue Devils had gone unbeaten in league play up to that point. They regained momentum in the ACC Tournament, notching a payback win over Clemson, knocking out two-time ACC Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame in the semifinals and then battling past Louisville in overtime to claim the 10th title in program history.
To say Duke has responded well to the intensity of postseason play would be an understatement. It's thriving. Since Kara Lawson became coach in 2020, the Blue Devils have been steadily inching closer to a return to the Final Four since their last visit 20 years ago.