5 Favorite Moments From Duke's Elite Eight Run

After earning the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils' season came to an end in arguably the most heartbreaking way possible. Duke fumbled a lead once as large as 19 points to fall to 2-seed UConn in the final seconds in the Elite Eight.

The entire first half, Duke looked in control. It always felt like the Huskies would make a push back, but no one could have predicted an ending quite like that.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer speaks with the media during a press conference ahead 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

Nonetheless, the Duke program now hits the offseason button to reload for the 2026-27 campaign. Although it ended in agony, there were still plenty of amazing moments from Duke's NCAA Tournament run.

Let's run through the five best.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) shoots a free throw against the UConn Huskies in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

5. Duke's Scare in Round of 64

This isn't necessarily a "best" moment, but it's somewhat of a chuckle for fans to look back on.

The Blue Devils were in severe danger of becoming the third 1-seed ever to fall to a 16-seed. Duke entered the halftime locker room in a 43-32 deficit and trailed for 71% of the total game. Then, Duke outscored Siena 39-22 to etch a 71-65 victory.

Duke Blue Devils guard Nikolas Khamenia (14) celebrates after scoring Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was a big-time fright for the Blue Devil faithful, but they ultimately got it done.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) shoots the ball past Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

4. Isaiah Evans Legacy Game Against St. John's

Duke was on the ropes in the Sweet 16 against 5-seed St. John's, trailing 40-39 at the half and losing the physicality battle for the first time all year. The Blue Devils still trailed for a good portion of the second half, but it was Isaiah Evans who propelled the squad to victory.

The sophomore went for a game-high 25 points on 10-of-15 (66.7%) shooting from the field and 4-of-8 (50%) shooting from three. It was an outing Duke absolutely needed to advance.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) dribbles the ball as UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) defends in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

3. Cayden Boozer Proves He Can Run the Show

After Caleb Foster was ruled out indefinitely with a fractured foot, it left Duke's ceiling tainted, as freshman Cayden Boozer was the only other true point guard on the roster. Boozer had played heavy minutes all season, but it was unclear whether he could truly run the show on the biggest stage.

He proved he could with a standout performance in the Round of 64. The rookie tallied 19 points, five assists, and no turnovers. With Duke in a scare against the Saints, it was Boozer's poise that kept it in it to eventually squeak out a win.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) talks to Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21) during a stoppage in play against the UConn Huskies in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

2. Cameron Boozer Being Cameron Boozer

Duke rookie Cameron Boozer, the runaway National Player of the Year favorite, was unstoppable as everyone expected in the NCAA Tournament, leading the Blue Devils to the second weekend.

Through Duke's four tournament contests, Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals on 48.3% shooting from the field, posting double-double efforts in three of them. It was one of the most dominant freshman campaigns in recent memory, and Duke fans will miss having Boozer at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) 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: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

1. Caleb Foster Return

It was originally expected that Caleb Foster could only potentially make a return if Duke made it to the Final Four. Then, in miraculous fashion, the junior made a comeback in the Sweet 16 just about three weeks after undergoing foot surgery.

Not only did Foster suit up, but he willed the Blue Devils to a victory. The guard went for 11 points, all in the second half, to go along with three rebounds and two assists on 5-of-8 (62.5%) shooting from the field.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer watches down court Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Siena Saints at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the sidelines after the game, Scheyer could hardly contain the tears as he praised Foster.

“He had no business playing today. That’s one of the most special performances I’ve ever seen," Scheyer said after the win.