Former UNC Star Elliot Cadeau Gets Another Shot at Duke — This Time in Different Colors
Elliot Cadeau isn’t done with Duke just yet.
The former UNC basketball starting point guard, who recently transferred to Michigan after two seasons in Chapel Hill, is gearing up for a unique chance to settle some old scores. In a twist of fate that college basketball fans are sure to circle on their calendars, Cadeau and his new team will face the Blue Devils during the 2025-26 season — setting the stage for a high-stakes, emotional showdown.
According to CBS Sports insider Matt Norlander, Duke and Michigan are finalizing a deal to meet in a non-conference clash next February at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The matchup, expected to take place on February 21 or 22, will pit two top-25 programs against each other on a neutral court in what’s shaping up to feel like a March Madness preview.
For Cadeau, this game will be far more than just another date on the schedule.
A Rivalry Rekindled
During his Tar Heel tenure, Cadeau experienced the full chaos of one of sports’ greatest rivalries. As a freshman, he helped lead UNC to a memorable 2-0 sweep over Duke in the 2023-24 season, thrilling the Tar Heel faithful and cementing his early legacy.
But the following year wasn’t as kind. Cadeau and the 2024-25 Tar Heels suffered three painful defeats to the Blue Devils, including a heartbreaking 74-71 loss in the ACC Tournament semifinals at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Cadeau finished his UNC career with a 2-3 personal record against the Blue Devils — a mark he now has the rare chance to even out wearing maize and blue instead of Carolina blue.
A High-Stakes Stage
The location of the game adds even more intrigue. Capital One Arena, soon to host the 2026 NCAA Tournament East Regional, is a fitting battleground for two powerhouse programs. With both Michigan and Duke projected to be legitimate contenders next season, this non-conference clash could carry major seeding implications — not to mention the emotional weight for Cadeau himself.
Imagine the storylines: the ex-Tar Heel trying to take down Duke on a national stage, the Wolverines battling to prove their top-tier status under head coach Dusty May, and the Blue Devils aiming to spoil Cadeau’s revenge tour. It’s the kind of drama college basketball lives for.
Cadeau’s Fresh Start
Elliot Cadeau’s move to Michigan marked one of the biggest transfer portal headlines of the offseason. Now, instead of leading the Tar Heels, he’s poised to command the Wolverines’ offense — bringing his court vision, quickness, and battle-tested experience to a program hungry for a return to national prominence.
A win over Duke next February would not only be personally satisfying for Cadeau but could also serve as a signature moment early in his Michigan career.
And for UNC fans still keeping tabs on their former star? They might just find themselves rooting for a familiar face — at least for one night.
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