𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

10 p.m. today, ESPN

A second consecutive rematch is on the docket, as the Blue Devils and Tigers reprise December’s ACC-SEC Challenge meeting, which LSU won handily despite trailing 14-1 to start. However, Duke switched its starting lineup the next time out, replacing Jadyn Donovan with Riley Nelson, and reeled off 17 wins in a row. As Baylor learned in its 23-point second-round loss, these aren’t your early-season Blue Devils.

Still, Duke is the lower seed for a reason. The Tigers bring more depth into this Sweet 16 matchup, as well as a faster pace, a more potent offense and better rebounding on both ends. They also have the experience of having been to the Elite Eight each of the past two seasons, and Flau’jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley both won titles as freshmen. Plus, Kim Mulkey is one of three coaches remaining in the tournament, along with Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley, who have won a championship.

The Blue Devils’ main advantage comes in the clutch. Duke has been excellent in close games, with a net rating of plus-12.4 in crunch time, per CBB Analytics. LSU, meanwhile, has been a bit of a train wreck in clutch situations, getting outscored by 21.3 points per 100 possessions. If the Blue Devils can keep the game close, they’ve been the better team down the stretch.