Three keys for 2-seed UConn to take down top overall seed Duke

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) dribbles the ball past Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Sunday evening is what it’s all about. Two marquee programs battling head-to-head for spot at the Final Four in Indianapolis next week.

For UConn, it would be the Huskies’ third trip in the last four years and likely cement Alex Karaban as one of the greatest players in program history. For Duke, it would mark the second-straight Final Four appearance, an impressive feat given the Blue Devils have more or less turned their entire core over since losing Cooper Flagg to the NBA Draft after last year. For the first time in what feels like forever, UConn is an underdog.

The Huskies are 5. 5-point underdogs per FanDuel , with moneyline odds set at +172. Head coach Dan Hurley, always looking for an edge, likely relishes the ability to play the “nobody believes in us” card.

And while that might be a little bit of a stretch for a program that has won 16 NCAA tournament games in the last four seasons, there might be some truth to it against a Duke team that boasts a potential National Player of the Year in Cam Boozer and owns the longest current win streak in the country. So what can UConn do to beat the No. 1 overall seed and punch their ticket to Indianapolis?