The Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team is on the verge of a significant moment in their season as they prepare for the NCAA March Madness tournament. Having secured the 2-seed in the East region, the Lady Blue Devils are brimming with confidence after closing out the season with six consecutive victories. This winning streak was capped off with a convincing 76-62 victory over North Carolina State in the ACC Tournament championship.
As they head into the tournament, the pressure is on for the Lady Blue Devils, who are expected to make a deep run. However, looming in their path is the formidable South Carolina, the 1-seed in the same region. With their impressive track record, which includes winning the national championship last year and earning a 30-3 record this season, South Carolina is a powerhouse that Duke will need to strategize against if they are to progress past the Elite Eight.
But before thinking of a potential clash with the Gamecocks, Duke faces a familiar rival—a match against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the highly anticipated Sweet Sixteen. These two storied programs, with a fierce rivalry, are set to battle if both teams advance from their respective brackets. Duke, who concluded their regular season with a mixed record against UNC, stands at 1-1 this year. Their first meeting ended in a disappointing 53-46 loss on the road, followed by a strong 68-53 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium later in the season.
Naturally, Duke fans are galvanizing their hopes for an easy path to the Sweet Sixteen, ideally wanting to face teams like West Virginia or the winner of the matchup between Columbia and Washington instead of the Tar Heels. North Carolina has faced its own struggles recently, losing three of their last five games and suffering an ACC semifinals defeat to NC State. The Lady Tar Heels are a 3-seed in the East Region and will aim to regain their footing during the tournament.
Duke's postseason journey begins with their Round of 64 game against the 15-seed Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. This matchup will take place on the familiar court of Cameron Indoor Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Mountain Hawks, after an impressive 27-6 season and a strong tenure in the Patriot League, look to make an unforgettable impression during their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021.
Lehigh earned its tournament berth by clinching the automatic bid, having defeated 2-seed Army 74-62 in the Patriot League finals. They are led by senior Maddie Albrecht, boasting an impressive average of 15.7 points per game on an eye-catching 52.8% shooting percentage. As they prepare to face a statistically strong Duke team, Lehigh’s ability to capitalize on their three-point shooting, one of the highest rates in the nation, will be critical.
Duke heads into this matchup brimming with confidence. Their recent performances included winning nine of the last eleven games leading to the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils' defense has also proven as a key strength, allowing only 0.71 points per play, which ranks them 19th nationally. Their opponents have also only managed to score at a dismal 24.0% from the three-point range, placing Duke as the 16th best in the nation in this category.
The first-round challenge against Lehigh comes with a significant burden of expectation. Betting odds currently favor Duke heavily at -27.5, with a money line set at an astonishing -20000. Despite the discrepancies in their seeding and betting projections, both teams are cautiously optimistic but aware of the match's challenges.
Addressing the task at hand, Lehigh head coach Addie Micir emphasized the team’s determination and collective spirit: “Let’s go beat Duke. It’s a business trip, let’s treat it as such, have some fun while we’re at it and let’s go win a ball game.” The sentiment of treating the tournament as a business-focused expedition reflects the excitement within the Lehigh camp. Players Sibelle Zambie and Belle Bramer echoed a similar sentiment, noting that this chance to compete on a national stage is a dream come true that stems from close teammate bonds.
As for the upset in 2012, when Lehigh famously defeated Duke, it's a reference point that boosts morale. Zambie recalled the inspiration: “CJ McCollum... a big inspiration for all of us. That’s definitely a part of it and the history here—why not us?” The history is palpable, and the motivation invigorates the Mountain Hawks as they prepare for their challenge.
In a city that thrives on sports tradition, the anticipation is palpable as both teams prepare for one of the biggest moments of their seasons—March Madness. Duke’s quest begins this Friday, with hopes of not just advancing, but of putting on a strong performance that echoes strongly in what they hope will be a long tournament run.
