Duke vs St. John's: Sweet Sixteen Showdown

0:00On March 27th, tonight the top-seated Duke Blue Devils face fifth-seated St. John's Red Storm in the East region, sweet 16, at Capital One Arena, Washington, DC. Tip off is at 710 PM Eastern on Friday, March 27th, 2026, airing live on CBS. Duke holds the number one overall seed in the tournament. Duke rides a 13-game winning streak into the match-up, fresh off an 81-50A route of TCU where freshman Cameron Booser posted a double-double. St. John's punched their first sweet 16-ticket this century, with a thrilling 67-65 upset over Kansas, thanks to Dylan. Darling's last second play, the Red Storm have won 21 of their last 22 games as Big E's champs. Both squads thrive on gritty defense, dominating the paint night after night. St. John's brings physicality with Zubi EG04, their big East player of the year, while Duke gets a boost from Patrick Nongbaugh, the third's return.

1:01Perimeter pressure could decide it, especially with Duke's Kayla Foster sideline by a foot injury. Neither team has shot well so far, putting the onus on wings like Isaiah Evans for Duke, and Ian Jackson for St. John's to step up. Oj from Draft King's list Duke as 28-5 money-line favorites with a 6-1-1-1-1-1-1 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1. Both teams sit at 20 wins and 16 losses against the spread this season, with the overhitting in just 13 of each's 36 games. Bedding models lean towards St. John's on the money line and covering the spread. This defensive battle shapes up as a classic rock fight, where paint control and ball pressure will tell the tale as these hot teens clash for a spot in the Elite 8.