Duke, St. Johns Teams That Have Elite Defenses Are Opposing Each Other Friday Night In Sweet 16 In Washington DC With Berth To Elite 8 At Stake

During 2025 -2026 season allowing opponents to score 63. 1 points per game . Duke’s defensive performance ranked third in nation in points allowed per game. Throughout the season Duke frequently held opponents to low scoring totals including holding many Atlantic Coast Conference opponents  to 30 points or fewer in a half. 

St John’s is  holding opponents  69.5 points per game allowing opponents to shooting  42 % from the field 31.1 % from three point range . There defensive pressure been effective forcing turnovers limiting opponents to 63 points over last 10 games! 

Duke, St. John’s teams that have elite defenses are opposing each other Friday night in Sweet 16 in Washington DC with berth to Elite 8 at stake.

To oppose the winner of who? Uconn who is 2 seed in East Region while Michigan State is 3 seed!

Duke is top overall seed in NCAA Tournament is top seed in East Region a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference comes into the sweet 16 with record of 34-2 because On Saturday March 21, 2026 in Greenville South Carolina Duke had to win ugly win 81-58 over TCU because as a team they committed 17 turnovers Maliq Brown who is a forward who is a senior who is a transfer from Syracuse committed 2 turnovers. Cameron Boozer who is a freshman who is a forward committed 5 turnovers Dame Sarr who is a freshman who is a guard committed 1 turnover. Isaiah Evans who is a sophomore who is a guard committed 1 turnover. Cayden Boozer who is twin brother of Cameron Boozer who is a guard committed 2 turnovers. Patrick Ngongba II who is a sophomore who is a center who was returning from foot injury committed 4 turnovers Nikolas Khamenia who is a freshman who is a guard committed 1 turnover.

According to ESPN App

In spite of Duke committing 17 turnovers Duke advanced to sweet 16 with 81-58 win over TCU because Maliq Brown, Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr scored in double figures.

Maliq Brown was 4-5 on field goals , 4-5 on free throws to go along 9 rebounds, 1 assists , 12 points. Cameron Boozer was 7-10 on field goals, 0-1 on 3 pointers 5-5 on free throws to go along with 11 rebounds 4 assists, 19 points. Dame Sarr was 4-8 on field goals , 4-7 on 3 pointers , 2-2 on free throws to go along with 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 14 points. Isaiah Evans was 6-14 on field goals , 2-8 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 17 points.

As a team Duke shot 27-49 on field goals for 55 % were 7-21 on 3 pointers for 33 % were 20-23 from free throw line.

According to ESPN App

Following Duke committing 17 turnovers advancing to sweet 16 with 81-58 win over TCU Saturday because Maliq Brown, Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr scoring in double figures Cameron Boozer who is a freshman who is a forward who is twin brother of Duke freshman guard Cayden Boozer who was was 7-10 on field goals, 0-1 on 3 pointers, 5-5 on free throws to go along with 11 rebounds, 4 assists 19 points shared his thoughts by saying “It’s a great feeling,”of advancing. “We came in with 68 teams, now there’s just 16 left. This is what we worked for so hard all year long and we want to keep it going and keep playing Duke basketball.”We needed that refocus,”We came out a little soft, we gave them confidence, and we just said now’s the time, let’s get a run going.”

It was the defense, man,That’s what we’ve hung our hat on all year long. That’s what we talked about at halftime, putting the focus on defense and getting stops. We controlled the glass and protected the rim.”

Following Duke committing 17 turnovers advancing to sweet 16 with 81-58 win over TCU Saturday because Maliq Brown, Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr scoring in double figures Isaiah Evans shared his thoughts by saying It’s kind of like a chess match, trying to figure out a team and what works and doesn’t work,”

According to Chip Alexander News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article315063922.html

St Johns is 5 seed is a member of the Big East Conference is 5 seed in East Region comes into Elite 8 with record of 30-6 because they edged Kansas who was 4 seed who is member of Big 12 Conference Sunday in San Diego California by score of 67-65 where as a team St. John’s was 25-69 for 36 % on field goals were 11-35 on 3 pointers for 31 % where three players scored in double figures. Those players were Zuby Ejiofor who is a senior who is a forward who was 6-14 on field goals 0-4 on 3 pointers , 6-8 on free throws to go along with 9 rebounds, 4 assists , 2 turnovers, 18 points. Bryce Hopkins who is a senior who is a forward was 6-13 on field goals , 6-9 on 3 pointers to go along with 7 rebounds , 1 assists, 18 points. Ian Jackson who is a sophomore who is a guard was 4-12 on field goals , 2-7 on 3 pointers to go along 2 rebounds, 1 assists, 10 points.

According to ESPN App

Following St. Johns edging Kansas advancing to Sweet 16 with 67-65 win St. Johns Head Rick Pitino shared his thoughts on Dylan Darling game winner by saying "I walk away and think, 'wait a second, he hasn't scored a bucket, and he wants to run a play for himself?'"Not only did he do it,""He went with his right hand."Real proud of him because to want the ball when you haven't made a shot is unbelievable,"

According to David Cobb CBS Sports article https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/st-johns-buzzer-beater-rick-pitino-dylan-darling/

Tip-off is set for 7:10pm Capital One Arena that is home to Washington Wizards of the NBA as well as the Washington Capitals of NHL!

The game is going to be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson commentating!

Ian Eagle joined CBS Sports in March 1998. He serves as lead play-by-play announcer for the Network’s coverage of NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball and also teams with JJ Watt and Evan Washburn to form the Network’s No. 2 NFL ON CBS announce team.

Eagle called his first NCAA Men’s Final Four National Semifinals and National Championship in April 2023, pairing with Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson.

He has called NFL games since joining CBS Sports in 1998. From 2020-2024, he teamed with Charles Davis, and from 2014-19, he paired with Dan Fouts.

Eagle also calls New York Jets’ preseason games on WCBS-TV in New York, and has served as play-by-play announcer for Westwood One Radio Sports since 2009. He also serves as the play-by-play announcer for Brooklyn Nets games on the YES Network.

Eagle was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality – PLAY-BY-PLAY in 2014 and 2018. He has won multiple New York Sports Emmys for Outstanding Play-by-Play Announcer (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024). Eagle was named the New York Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 and was named the 2022 and 2024 National Sportscaster of the Year. In 2002 he won a New York Sports Emmy Award for game coverage of the dramatic Nets-Indiana Pacers playoff Game 5.

Eagle called the Network’s high-definition television coverage of the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoffs and 2000 AFC Championship Game, as well as the Army-Navy football game for seven years (2002-08), NCAA Track and Field Championships for eight years (2004-12) and served as the studio host for the “U.S. Open Late Night Highlight Show” during 2004 and 2005. Eagle called play-by-play for the “First Four” of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in 2012, 2015 and 2018. He has called play-by-play and been a contributor for CBS Sports’ coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships (2004-14), as well as the French Open for the Tennis Channel (2007-19). Eagle also has called the Masters® and PGA Championship for Direct TV/CBSSports.com (2008-14).

He served as play-by-play announcer for Westwood One Radio Sports during its NCAA Tournament coverage (2008-17). From 2005-08 he hosted the NBA show “Full Court Press” on Sirius Radio. Eagle once again called the NBA playoffs for TNT, serving in a more prominent role throughout the 2021 Playoffs, and NBA TV. He covered the 2012 NBA Draft on CBSSports.com along with Bill Raftery. Eagle served as the host of ‘Stars on Sports’ on CBS, featuring stars of movies, television and music. He also has hosted a show for CBSSports.com, “Conversations with CBS Sports,” which featured interviews with David Stern, Gary Bettman, George Brett, Boomer Esiason and others. He is the play-by-play voice of the video game, “NBA Playgrounds,” and was the play-by-play voice of “NBA ‘09” with Kenny “The Jet” Smith for the Sony PSP video game. Eagle also served as the blow-by-blow commentator for CBS Sports’ coverage of the Showtime Championship Boxing series in 2000.

He was the play-by-play radio voice for the NFL’s New York Jets in 1997, provided play-by-play for FOX Sports Net on NFL Europe telecasts, and was also a reporter for TNT’s coverage of the NBA playoffs in 1996. Eagle joined WFAN Radio in New York in 1990 as a producer and debuted as host of his own show in 1992. He hosted Jets pre- and post-game shows on WFAN from 1993 to 1996. Eagle has appeared in a comedy sketch on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT, and was in the movie “Southpaw.”

For 15 years Eagle hosted, along with Bruce Beck, the “Bruce Beck and Ian Eagle Sportscasters Camp” (www.sportsbroadcastingcamp.com) for kids (2002-16).

A 1990 graduate of Syracuse University, Eagle was the play-by-play voice of the Orange for football, basketball and lacrosse, and was awarded the Bob Costas Award for Outstanding Sportscasting. In August 2013, he was inducted into Syracuse University radio station’s WAER Alumni Hall of Fame and in 2023, he was named National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

 Grant Hill was born with a competitive spirit that sent him to the top of ranks of basketball and into the upper echelon of humanity. He has tremendous strength, resolve and resilience and is truly an inspirational athlete, who overcame tremendous obstacles in the pursuit of his goal of contributing to his team. Those obstacles included Five ankle surgeries, one staph infection, a sports hernia, countless hours of rehab, false starts and moments of self reflection gave Grant a new-found perspective on life.

The leadership Grant brought to a team, both on and off the court is immeasurable and his miraculous comeback serves as an affirmation that all of the hard work and sacrifice were worth the effort. Beyond his successful 19-year NBA career, Grant has shown that he can face adversity head on and continue to persevere. And after retiring at the end of the 2012-13 season following a 19-year NBA career, Grant has been hired by Turner Sports as the co-host of NBA Inside Stuff, which NBA TV is bringing back. He will also be joining Turner as an analyst for TNT and NBA TV.Off the court, Grant continues to be humble and is a true believer in community investment. His contributions in charity work, academic scholarships, and national initiatives for healthier lifestyles demonstrates Grant's servant heart towards the people in his community.While all of his charitable work has been inspiring, Grant turned a lifelong love of art into what may be his most benevolent endeavor off the court. One of the world's premier collectors of African American art, Grant wanted to draw attention to a facet of popular culture that has gone unrecognized and unappreciated for far too long African American art. Grant sponsored a nearly three year, seven city tour of his personal art collection entitled Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art. This is an atypical example of an athlete capitalizing on the incredible power and influence that is often left unexplored by professional athletes.

Featuring a large collection of African American artists, including the works of celebrated masters Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, as well as the work of artists including Hughie Lee-Smith, John Biggers, Phoebe Beasely, Malcolm Brown, Edward Jackson, John Coleman and Arthello Beck, Jr., the popular exhibition attracted visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Grant's message stressed the importance for young boys and girls to witness African Americans who have been successful outside of sports and entertainment. In conjunction with the exhibition, Grant created the Something All Our Own Scholarship, which provided educational assistance to college students interested in pursuing a degree in visual arts. Through these efforts, Grant encouraged creative exploration of avenues beyond sports and entertainment while sharing his appreciation of artists who have played an important part in his life.

Grant extended the pursuit of one of his off the court interests by forming a production company and has co-produced two documentary films, "Starting at the Finish Line," chronicling the life of influential and inspirational Duke Track coach and Professor Al Buehler, and "Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back" about the 1991 and 1992 back to back Duke national championship teams. Duke 91 & 92 aired on Turner Sports' truTV in advance of Turner Sports' and CBS Sports' coverage of the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, which aired exclusively on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV.

Bill Raftery joined CBS Sports in 1983 and is an analyst for CBS Sports’ college basketball coverage and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. He joins the broadcast team of Ian Eagle, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson to call the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, including the Final Four and National Championship. He also is an analyst for college basketball on Fox.

Raftery previously served as an analyst for Westwood One Radio Sports coverage of the NCAA Men’s Final Four for 23 years. He also served as an analyst for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. Since 1981, Raftery has announced several events, including the Big Ten Championship, the ACC Championship, the Big East Championship, the SEC Championship, the McDonald's High School All-Star game and the NIT pre-season and championship games.

Raftery co-hosted THE BASKETBALL SHOW with Pat O’Brien and called NBA ON CBS action.  He served as course commentator for the First of America Senior PGA TOUR event in Grand Rapids, Mich., as well as other Senior TOUR events. Raftery was the studio host for ESPN's coverage of the NCAA Tournament in 1980.

Prior to his broadcasting career, Raftery was head coach at Seton Hall University with a record of 154-141 from 1970-82. Prior to that he coached basketball and golf at Fairleigh Dickinson for five years, while also serving as associate athletic director. During his 16-year collegiate coaching career he gained three NIT and four ECAC Tournament berths and was named Coach of the Year in 1979 by the New Jersey Basketball Writers Association.

Raftery played three seasons at LaSalle University under legendary coach Donald “Dudey” Moore. He set a freshman scoring mark with 370 points. The next year, he led the varsity team with 17.8 points per game and in his senior year, he co-captained the Explorers to the National Invitational Tournament.

Following his senior year at LaSalle, he was drafted by the New York Knicks.  A New Jersey school-boy legend, prior to attending LaSalle, Raftery was an All-State selection in basketball, soccer and baseball at St. Cecilia High School in Kearny, N.J.  He posted a New Jersey state record scoring 827 points in his senior year, leading the team to the New Jersey State Championship.  He ended his high school career with 2,192 points, a state record at the time. Raftery was named “Mr. Basketball USA” as the top male high school basketball player of 1959 by ESPN HS, an honor first awarded in 1996, retroactive to 1955, that includes Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Bill Bradley, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Clark Kellogg, Patrick Ewing, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James, among others. 

He was honored in December 2017 with induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He is a three-time Sports Emmy Award winner for OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY / SPORTS EVENT ANALYST (2015, 2016, 2018). In 2015, Raftery was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. He was honored in May 2012 at the University of Scranton’s Carlesimo Award Dinner, held in honor of the late Peter A. Carlesimo, for his contributions to athletics and Catholic education. In 2004 Raftery received a special Victor Sports Award, and the “Walter Payton ‘Sweetness’ Award,” in recognition of his outstanding work in the community throughout his lifetime. He received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and also won a New York Sports Emmy for SINGLE EVENT COVERAGE for Game 5 of the New Jersey Nets-Indiana Pacers series during the 2002 NBA Playoffs. He was awarded the 2024 Jake Wade Award by the College Sports Communicators, presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics.

Raftery earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from LaSalle and master's degree in education from Seton Hall. He received an Honorary Doctorate from LaSalle University in 2001 and an Honorary Doctorate from Seton Hall University in 2009.

 Raftery was born April 19 and currently serves as President of W.J. Raftery Associates, an events/marketing firm.  Raftery lives in Jupiter, Fla., with his wife, Joan, and has four children and five grandchildren.

Tracy Wolfson is an eight-time Emmy Award-nominated reporter for CBS Sports and two-time recipient of the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sideline Reporter (2024, 2025). She was named THE NFL ON CBS’s lead game reporter in May 2014 and once again teams with the lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on THE NFL ON CBS’s top game each week, as well as CBS Sports’ Thanksgiving games, the AFC Playoffs and the AFC Championship Game. Wolfson was on the sidelines as lead reporter for Super Bowl LVIII (2024), Super Bowl LV (2021), Super Bowl LIII (2019), Super Bowl 50 (2016) and also serves as the lead reporter for CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. She has been the lead reporter on the Final Four since 2008.

Additionally, Wolfson serves as a panelist on CBS Sports' WE NEED TO TALK, the first-ever nationally-televised all-women sports show.

In 2022, she was named one of the Cynopsis Top Women in Media in the Game Changing On-Air Talent category.

Wolfson served 10 years as the lead college football reporter for CBS Sports’ coverage of the Southeastern Conference working with one of the top broadcast teams in the country in Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson since 2004.

In addition to college football she also worked select NFL games, including the AFC Wild Card, Divisional and Championship games, as well as coverage of Super Bowl XLVII.

Wolfson has been involved with coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Auto Racing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Skating, Gymnastics, Track and Field and Rodeo for the Network. In addition, she has anchored the CBS Sports Desk throughout the year and hosted “At the Half” during basketball season. Wolfson also has contributed in various ways as a host and reporter for CBS Sports Network.

Wolfson served as a reporter for Turner Sports for select NBA regular-season and playoff games. Prior to CBS, Wolfson served as an anchor/reporter for the Madison Square Garden Network and also worked for ESPN as a Host/Reporter covering U.S. Open Golf, College Football and Arena Football (2002-03).

Wolfson began her on-air broadcasting career in 2000 at WZBN-TV in Trenton, N.J. as a sports anchor, reporter and producer. She has worked for Oxygen Sports, Long Island News Tonight and News-12 Long Island. Wolfson began her professional career at CBS Sports in 1997 as a researcher working on U.S. Open Tennis, the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and the 1997 NCAA Final Four.

Raised in Congers, N.Y., Wolfson graduated with a degree in communications from the University of Michigan.

According to https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-sports/talent/?view=ian-eagleAccording to https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-sports/talent/?view=bill-raftery
According to https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-sports/talent/?view=tracy-wolfson-2According to https://granthill.com/biography