When the Arizona Wildcats face Duke in the Sweet 16 on March 27, 2025, all eyes will be on Caleb Love. The senior guard brings a unique weapon to the court experience against the Blue Devils.
With a 4-3 career record against Duke spanning his years at North Carolina and Arizona, Love has authored some of his most memorable collegiate moments against the perennial powerhouse.
The North Carolina Years: Building a Duke-Killer Reputation
Love’s history with Duke is filled with dramatic chapters including his career high 25 points as a freshman at Cameron Indoor and his iconic 28 points Final Four performance that ended Coach K’s career.
Now, he enters this tournament matchup carrying Arizona’s hopes fresh off a 29-point explosion against Oregon that propelled the Wildcats to this Sweet 16 showdown.
During his three seasons at North Carolina, Love established himself as a Duke nemesis. His freshman year breakthrough at Cameron Indoor Stadium saw him pour in 25 points with 7 assists in a statement 91-87 victory.
But it was his sophomore campaign that cemented his legacy, delivering 28 points in the 2022 Final Four to defeat Duke 81-77 and end Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career on a bitter note.
Across his UNC tenure, Love averaged an impressive 17.7 points against Duke, shooting a remarkable 42.1% from 3-point range at Cameron Indoor Stadium. These performances demonstrated his ability to elevate his game against college basketball’s blue blood program, showing a competitive fire that thrived in the sport’s most heated rivalry.
Arizona Chapter: Mixed Results Continue the Duke Saga
Love’s Arizona career has featured a continued Duke rivalry with mixed results that parallel his overall record. In November 2023, Love helped the Wildcats stun then No. 2 Duke 78-73 at Cameron Indoor breaking the Blue Devils’ 17 games home winning streak in a statement victory for the program.
However, their most recent matchup saw Duke gain revenge with a 69-55 win with Love struggling to find his rhythm and scoring just eight points on 3 for 13 shooting. This inconsistency mirrors the hot and cold nature of Love’s career, where brilliant performances and difficult shooting nights have alternated with little predictability.
KEEP READING: March Madness Fun Facts: Surprising Stats and Records You Need To Know
As Love prepares for what could be his final collegiate chapter against Duke, his 4-3 record speaks to both his success and the challenges he’s faced.
Arizona will rely on his experience in this high-stakes environment, hoping the senior’s history of rising to the occasion against the Blue Devils will help write one more victorious chapter in this ongoing basketball saga.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
