Caleb Love has seen plenty of Duke throughout his five-year college career, and with the NCAA Tournament upon us, he may not be finished. Love’s current team, the Arizona Wildcats, is potentially set for another face-off against the top-seeded Blue Devils, marking the possibility of their 10th encounter. The nature of March Madness, after all, is ripe with storylines and thrilling matchups.
Following Arizona's recent defeat to Houston on March 16, 2025, Love expressed confidence about the postseason, saying, "We’ve overcome so much adversity and hardship, I’m just proud we made it this far. We will be ready for the postseason and March Madness." With the Wildcats entering this year’s tournament as the No. 4 seed, at 22-12, they need to win at least two games to reach the Sweet 16 in Newark, New Jersey.
The stakes were never higher for the Arizona Wildcats, who must navigate through the bracket alongside the heavily-favored Duke squad, boasting an impressive 31-3 record this season. If both teams can secure their spots, fans could witness yet another chapter of this intense rivalry, which has long captivated college basketball enthusiasts.
Caleb Love's history with Duke is storied and laden with poignancy, as he arrives at this potential rematch with numerous memorable performances against them during his tenure at North Carolina. Love holds five wins over Duke, including noteworthy contributions during significant games. For example, back in March 2022, he scored 22 points to help North Carolina spoil the farewell party for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski at his final home game. That would be only the beginning.
Another remarkable moment arrived during the NCAA Final Four match-up where the two teams faced off for the first time. Love dazzled with 28 points, featuring clutch shots like the late 3-pointer and clinching free throws which propelled the Tar Heels past the Blue Devils, sealing Coach K's coaching career with a defeat.
After transferring to Arizona to play under coach Tommy Lloyd, Love has continued to etch his name among the elites of college basketball. His tenure at Arizona has seen him achieve accolades such as the Pac-12 Player of the Year and recognition as an Associated Press All-American. Love recently remarked on the satisfaction of returning to Durham, stating, "It was very satisfying," reflecting on his experience after wearing shoes emblazoned with 'Tar Heel 4L' during the highly emotional game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
That night, he once again demonstrated his competitive spirit and clutch ability, delivering by hitting the important free throws to clinch victory for Arizona, ensuring he would leave the Cameron Crazies waving goodbye once more.
Meanwhile, Duke is not to be underestimated; they defeated Arizona earlier this season in what was noted for being closely contested. Coach Jon Scheyer praised his junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who played stellar defense on Love, limiting him to just 3-for-13 shooting from the floor, including 1-for-9 from three-point range. "Love is a big-time player," Scheyer noted, recognizing the challenges posed by their all-time rival.
The narrative around the looming matchup is rich not only because of Love's competitive past with the Blue Devils but also due to the intense history and rivalry shared between Duke and North Carolina. This historic friction creates fertile ground for drama as fans await potential brackets come Selection Sunday. With this being the 10th meeting, it harbors more than just numbers. It’s history, legacy, and emotions swirling together as the postseason launches.
For Arizona, powering their way to this points of interest involves proving they are more than capable of contending at the highest levels. The upcoming March Madness frenzy will hinge on individual performances, team chemistry, and yes, the reverberations and rematches of old foes. “We will be ready,” Love shared, capturing the US audience's imagination and excitement. Love’s personal legacy, entwined with the history of these rivalries, continues to deepen as he charts his path through March Madness.
Essentially, all eyes are on the NCAA Tournament as fans throughout the nation anticipate the exhilarating clashes; the calculus will rapidly evolve as each game plays out. Caleb Love's potential face-off against Duke could not only resonate with his previous achievements but also serve as his crowning act within the swirling vortex of college basketball passion this March.
