The Duke basketball rivalry with Michigan is set to resume on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The No. 3 Blue Devils (24-2) and No. 1 Wolverines (25-1) are set to play for the first time in 13 years when they take the court at 6:30 p.m. ET, not from Michigan’s Crisler Center or Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, but from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., in The Duel in the District.
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This will mark the 31st meeting between the programs and the seventh in a neutral site, which includes three meetings in the NCAA Tournament.
The last meeting between Duke and Michigan occurred in 2013 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, when the Blue Devils took down the Wolverines 79-69 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
Here’s what you need to know about the “Duel in the District” between Duke and Michigan on Saturday:
Why are Duke-Michigan playing nonconference game in February?
The “Duel in the District” game between Michigan and Duke was announced on June 24, 2025. Capital One Arena is the home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team.
The matchup is set to take place at the arena, which hosts several high-profile NCAA events in the coming years, including the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional, the 2027 Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship and the 2028 Division I Women’s Basketball Regional.
Michigan makes its way back to the nation’s capital for the first time since participating in the Coaches vs. Racism matchup against Prairie View A&M on Nov. 13, 2021. The Wolverines play in Capital One Arena (then the Verizon Center) for the first time since winning the Big Ten Tournament there in 2017.
Duke played in the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena, falling to eventual tournament winner North Carolina State in the quarterfinals.
Duke-Michigan basketball history
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Series record: Duke leads 22-8
Duke and Michigan have faced off 30 times prior to Saturday’s game. That includes three meetings in the NCAA Tournament (1992 national championship, 1964 Final Four and the 2011 second round) between the programs.
Here’s a look at entire history between the programs:
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Feb. 21, 2026 (Washington, D.C): No. 3 Duke vs. No. 1 Michigan
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Dec. 3, 2013 (Durham, N.C): Duke 79, Michigan 69
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Nov. 22, 2011 (Lahaina, Hawaii): Duke 82, Michigan 75
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March 20, 2011 (Charlotte): Duke 73, Michigan 71 (Round of 32)
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Dec. 6, 2008 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Michigan 81, Duke 73
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Nov. 21, 2008 (New York): Duke 71, Michigan 56
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Dec. 8, 2007 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 95, Michigan 67
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Dec. 7, 2002 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 81, Michigan 59
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Dec. 8, 2001 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 104, Michigan 83
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Dec. 9, 2000 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 104, Michigan 61
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Dec. 11, 1999 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 104, Michigan 97
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Dec. 12, 1998 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 108, Michigan 64
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Dec. 13, 1997 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Michigan 81, Duke 73
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Dec. 8, 1996 (Durham, N.C.): Michigan 62, Duke 61
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Dec. 9, 1965 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Michigan 88, Duke 84
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Dec. 10, 1994 (Durham, N.C): Duke 69, Michigan 59
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Dec. 11, 1993 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 73, Michigan 63
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Dec. 5, 1992 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 79, Michigan 68
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April 6, 1992 (Minneapolis): Duke 71, Michigan 51 (national championship)
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Dec. 14, 1991 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 88, Michigan 85
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Dec. 8, 1990 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 75, Michigan 68
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Dec. 9, 1989 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Michigan 113, Duke 108
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Dec. 7, 1970 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 95, Michigan 74
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Dec. 10, 1969 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 73, Michigan 68
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Dec. 9, 1968 (Durham, N.C.): Michigan 90, Duke 80
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Dec. 6, 1967 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Duke 93, Michigan 90
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Dec. 3, 1966 (Durham, N.C.): Duke 96, Michigan 75
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Dec. 21, 1965 (Detroit): Duke 100, Michigan 93
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Dec. 5, 1964 (Durham, N.C.): Michigan 86, Duke 79
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March 20, 1964 (Kansas City): Duke 91, Michigan 80 (Final Four)
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Dec. 21, 1963 (Ann Arbor, Michigan): Michigan 83, Duke 67
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Duke, Michigan basketball are playing nonconference game in February
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