Duke Vs St. John’s: Boozer, Ejiofor Clash In Sweet 16 Showdown

The No. 5 St. John’s Red Storm will face off against the No.1 Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. ET at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. This high-stakes matchup marks St. John’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999, while Duke, the top-ranked team in the nation, aims to continue its dominant season. The game is part of the East Regional semifinal and will be broadcast on CBS. 

Key Player Battle: Cameron Boozer vs. Zuby Ejiofor

The Johnnies are coming off a spectacular win over No.4 Kansas. Dylan Darling’s game-winning layup became the deciding factor. Dylan’s shot became a defining moment in their season, with a head-on rim run known as power in Rick Pinto’s playbook. The team met with immense swings of ups and downs, including a 9-5 start before finishing 19-1 and winning consecutive regular-season and tournament titles. 

In the meantime, Duke pulled off a 13-point win over TCU in the second round. But the Blue Devils were under pressure, as they failed to create a rough separation from the ninth-seeded Horned Frogs in the first half. Many thought it was a game where the Blue Devils could have won by a large margin, but instead, they took a lead with 5:08 left on the clock. Analysts said that if this continues with the Red Storm, then Duke might be on upset alert, though Duke has a lot of strength with Dame Sarr being on the wing and Maliq Brown in the paint. 

Furthermore, the game is expected to hinge on the internal battle between ST. John’s Zuby Ejiofor and Duke’s Cameron Boozer. Ejiofor is the Big East Player of the Year, with averages of 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 54.5% from the field. He anchors a tough St. John’s frontcourt that includes Bryce Hopkins, with 13.5 ppg and 6.2 rpg, and Dillon Mitchell, with 8.2ppg and 7.0 rpg. 

On the other side, Cameron Boozer is a first-team All-American freshman and leads Duke with 22,4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, shooting 56.3% from the field. Boozer’s ability to score inside, rebound, and facilitate makes him a matchup nightmare for the Red Storm, who lack a defender with his size and skill. 

Injuries and Coaching Edge

Duke will be without a starting point guard, Caleb Foster, who is out with a broken foot. His absence removes a key ball-handler and perimeter defender, with freshman Cayden Boozer and Isaiah Evans (15.0 ppg) stepping up. Meanwhile, center Patrick Ngongba II has returned from injury and played 13 minutes in the TCU game, adding depth to Duke’s frontcourt. 

St. John’s has no major injuries, giving coach Rick Pitino full access to his roster. Pitino, known for his tournament success, owns a 12-1 record in Sweet 16 games, giving the Red Storm a significant coaching edge over Duke’s Jon Scheyer. 

St. John’s Red Storm Key Players Stat

Zuby Ejiofor (F, 24)

16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, shooting 54.5% FG and 78.6% FT.

Dylan Darling (G, 0)

4.5 assists, 12.8 points per game

He is known for clutch performances, including the game-winning buzzer-beater vs. Kansas.

Bryce Hopkins (F)

13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds per game

Key secondary scorer and rebounder.

Duke Blue Devils Key Players Stat

Cameron Boozer (F,12)

22.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists

ACC player of the year and ALL-American, shooting 56.3% FG and 78.7% FT.

Isaiah Evans (G) 

15 points per game, 2.7 three-pointers at 35.8% from the arc.

Maliq Brown (F)

5.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game

ACC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Expert Prediction and Final Score

The BETMGM sportsbook lists Duke as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5.  But analysts are divided; some favor Duke due to their superior rebounding and offensive efficiency, while others weigh on St. John’s experience, defensive pressure, and Pitino’s coaching give them a chance to pull off an upset. Projections suggest a tight, physical game, potentially decided in the final minutes. The predicted score is likely, Duke 78 and St. John’s 72.