Duke is a longtime college basketball powerhouse, but it’s Houston that’s been the sport’s model of consistency over the past six seasons. The Cougars have been to five consecutive Sweet 16s and haven’t lost more than eight games in a season since 2016-17, getting as far as the Final Four in 2021.
Even coach Kelvin Sampson knows this era of Houston basketball won’t be complete until the Cougars win a national championship. To move one step closer to that goal, Houston has to get past a blue blood on Friday.
Duke seems to be heating up at the right time after a rocky finish to the regular season, as Jon Scheyer’s group made quick work of both Vermont and James Madison in Brooklyn. Jared McCain is surging offensively, scoring 30 points in the Blue Devils’ second-round win and inspiring hopes of a deeper run than many fans anticipated.
Facing Houston’s strong defense is a much tougher challenge than going up against a double-digit seed, however. The Cougars will be looking to give Duke a wake-up call and secure a trip to the Elite Eight for the third time in the past four seasons.
For Duke, an Elite Eight bid would serve as another reminder that the prestige of the Blue Devils brand hasn’t faded one bit since Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Friday’s Sweet 16 game between Houston and Duke. Follow along with all of the key moments below.
STREAM: Watch Duke vs. Houston live with Fubo (free trial)
Duke vs. Houston score
| 1 | 2 | F | |
| Houston | – | – | – |
| Duke | – | – | – |
Duke vs. Houston live updates, results, highlights from 2024 March Madness
(All times Eastern).
10:29 p.m. — Jamal Shead is down in serious pain for Houston. It looks like a lower-leg injury of some kind.
10:28 p.m. — McCain finally breaks through for Duke and drills a three. 14-10, Houston.
10:27 p.m. — Houston’s defense is just swarming Duke. The Blue Devils aren’t getting any breaks on the offensive end yet.
10:25 p.m. — We have points! LJ Cryer breaks the long drought and extends Houston’s lead to 12-7.
10:20 p.m. — It’s still 10-7, Houston at the under-12 timeout. A scoring drought for both teams.
10:18 p.m. — Both of these defenses are giving max effort right now, and Duke is doing a nice job of hanging around even as the Blue Devils’ offense struggles to settle in.
10:14 p.m. — Duke’s defense has tightened up a bit around the rim, and the Blue Devils have this back to a one-possession game. 10-7, Houston.
10:07 p.m. — Filipowski hits a three to give Duke its first points, 3:30 into the game.
10:05 p.m. — Duke’s first possession out of the timeout is…a turnover.
10:02 p.m. — Jon Scheyer calls timeout after Duke goes down 6-0. Houston is getting what it wants in the paint less than two minutes in.
SHEAD LOBS IT TO FRANCIS 🔥
Houston opens on a 6-0 run 😮💨#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/rdjKDriZjF
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2024
10:01 p.m. — Two possessions, two turnovers for Duke. 4-0, Cougars.
9:59 p.m. — And we’re off! Houston forces a turnover on the opening possession and capitalizes on the other and with a layup by J’Wan Roberts.
9:57 p.m. — Minutes away from tip…
9:52 p.m. — And the starters for Duke, led by Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain. McCain has been red hot early in this tournament.
Starters vs Houston 🕺😈 pic.twitter.com/pN2oeKkgR9
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 30, 2024
9:46 p.m. — The starting five for Houston, led by the dynamic backcourt.
HOUSTON STARTERS
G – 1️⃣ @Thejshead
G – 4️⃣ @LjCryer
G – 2️⃣1️⃣ @emanuelsharp_
F – 1️⃣3️⃣ @JWanRoberts13
F – 5️⃣ @theJayfrancis10 #ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/oAvraj8UIo— Houston Men’s Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 30, 2024
9:35 p.m. — Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET after NC State’s win over Marquette ran a bit late. The winner will officially get the cardiac Pack, who have won eight consecutive games.
9:12 p.m. — It’s looking like the winner will get No. 11 NC State in the Elite Eight on Sunday. What a run by the Wolfpack!
8:35 p.m. — A nice hotel sendoff for the Blue Devils in Dallas.
On the way 🕺🕺🕺🕺😈 pic.twitter.com/Wt4uEBwVPQ
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 30, 2024
8:12 p.m. — Some key info to know for tonight’s matchup, including an interesting note that this is the first-ever matchup between Houston and Duke. That’s the beauty of this tournament.
Notes & numbers ahead of tonight’s #Sweet16 game#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/1uWvE9STKY
— Houston Men’s Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 29, 2024
8:05 p.m. — The winner of this matchup will face either No. 2 Marquette or No. 11 NC State, and right now the Wolfpack are in control up by 13 at halftime.
Duke vs. Houston start time
- Date: Friday, March 29
- Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup between Houston and Duke is set to tip off at 9:39 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. It will follow Marquette’s battle with NC State, so tip-off could change if the earlier game runs later than expected.
How to watch Duke vs. Houston
- TV channel: CBS
- Stream: Fubo
Fans can watch No. 1 Houston try to fend off No. 4 Duke on CBS on Friday at 9:39 p.m. ET. For cord-cutters, you can stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
NCAA Tournament schedule 2024
Below is the schedule for Friday’s Sweet 16 games:
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Livestream |
| No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 11 NC State | 7:09 p.m. | CBS/Paramount+ |
| No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 5 Gonzaga | 7:39 p.m. | TBS/truTV |
| No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Duke | 9:39 p.m. | CBS/Paramount+ |
| No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 3 Creighton | 10:09 p.m. | TBS/truTV |