The two programs with the most national championships over the last 35 years meet for the 11th time in Sunday’s East Region final.

The Duke Blue Devils have five titles since 1991, and the UConn Huskies six. Yet, somehow, these teams have matched up in the NCAA Tournament just three times over that span, with the winner of each game going on to claim a national title (Duke in 1991, UConn in 1999 and 2004).

Duke saw its tournament life flash before its eyes in the Sweet 16, needing a late rally from down 10 points to slip past fifth-seeded St. John’s. The return of Caleb Foster (11 points on 5-of-8 shooting) from a broken right foot may have been the difference, as the junior guard scored seven points in a critical two-minute span in the second half.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans has been brilliant throughout Duke’s tournament run, averaging 19.3 points per game on 51.2% shooting, while freshman forward Cameron Boozer (21.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game in NCAAs) has lived up to the NBA Lottery pick billing that’s followed him all winter.

Now they get a UConn team that’s as battle-tested as anyone left in the bracket. Senior forward Alex Karaban will be playing his 18th NCAA Tournament game Sunday, and he’s lost just one of them so far. Senior post Tarris Reed Jr. has played 133 games total over four seasons between Michigan and UConn, and has been dominant through three tourney games with 61 points and 45 rebounds. Then there’s two-time national champion head coach Dan Hurley, who knows the road to the Final Four as well as anyone.

The Huskies survived a scare of their own in the Sweet 16 after nearly squandering a 19-point lead against Michigan State. But Karaban landed a haymaker with less than two minutes to go, and the Huskies prevailed 67-63 to move one win away from their third Final Four in four years.

The Blue Devils await, with whoever emerges a heavy favorite to advance to the national title game.