Caleb Love Puts Together Incredible Performance Despite Arizona's Loss to Duke

The graduate student didn't go out without a fight.

Love put together an outstanding performance against Duke in the Sweet Sixteen. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

After taking down the Akron Zips and the Oregon Ducks on their way to the Sweet 16, the Arizona Wildcats' NCAA tournament run came to an unfortunate close on Thursday night with a 100-93 loss to Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils.

Despite the defeat, Wildcats guard Caleb Love put on a brilliant performance, shooting 11-of-21 from the field while scoring 35 points—his high on the season.

While Love, now a graduate student at Arizona, was the Pac-12 Player of the Year in '24 and named All-Big 12 in '25, many remember the 23-year-old for his days in the ACC as a UNC Tar Heel. During time at Chapel Hill, the guard sported a 5-4 record against the Blue Devils, highlighted by a dagger three-pointer over the rivals that sent them to the 2022 national championship.

Although the loss on Thursday night puts him at 5-5 against Duke in his career, his performance in Newark had many lauding the star. Here's a look at some reactions across social media:

Dear Caleb Love,

Thanks for the last five years.

There were ups.

There were downs.

But you had an incredible impact on college basketball.

Walk proud.

Today.

Tomorrow.

And Forever.

Sincerely,

America

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 28, 2025

I don't want to hear another piece of Caleb Love slander again. This man is doing everything in his power to keep Arizona alive in this game --- 31 points, 9/16 FG, 5/8 from 3 and 8/9 from the line. Wildcats within 8 of Duke with 7:47 left. Still have some business to finish!

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 28, 2025

In a game with Cooper Flagg , Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach and Isaiah Evans on the court for Duke, Caleb Love looks like the best player on the court! pic.twitter.com/8Yo5vyH3Wh

— Nets Insider (@notoriousbknets) March 28, 2025

Caleb Love whenever he plays Duke pic.twitter.com/eaEIFPH8rz

— John Reed (@J_Reed20) March 28, 2025

Caleb love vs Duke pic.twitter.com/StJI1bLckF

— John (@iam_johnw) March 28, 2025

Caleb Love in his final college game:

35 POINTS
11/21 FG
5/11 3PT
4 REBOUNDS

Left it ALL on the floor. ✊ pic.twitter.com/Oa00dz1PfS

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 28, 2025

Caleb Love vs Duke pic.twitter.com/adqztTPwhl

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 28, 2025

Caleb Love right now: pic.twitter.com/tQl0bo0Ig9

— Ben Houselog (@benlikessport) March 28, 2025

Caleb Love is the first player to have a Sweet 16 game with 35+ PTS & 5+ 3PM since 1994. pic.twitter.com/qWltH9SoR7

— Real Sports (@realapp_) March 28, 2025

With the victory, Duke moves onto the Elite Eight where they'll take on the Alabama Crimson Tide—who set an NCAA record in their matchup vs. BYU—on Saturday in Newark.

---

More March Madness on Sports Illustrated

manual