College Basketball
College Hoops Preview: #1 Duke vs #8 North Carolina
- Matchup: #1 Duke Blue Devils (23-2, 11-1 ACC) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (20-5, 10-2 ACC)
- Date: Feb. 20th, 2019
- Time: 9:00 p.m. (est)
- Network: ESPN
- Location: Durham, North Carolina
- Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 9,314
The Greatest Rivalry in Sports
When talking about sports rivalries, many matchups come to mind. Red Sox versus Yankees, Redskins versus Cowboys, Penguins versus Capitals, and many more. No rivalry is quite as thrilling as Duke versus North Carolina (UNC).
Take a look back at two of the more memorable moments in the rivalry.
February 8th, 2012
#9 Duke takes down #5 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 85 to 84.
With over two minutes on the clock, the Tar Heels led the game by 10 points. Back-to-back threes from Tyler Thornton and Seth Curry quickly cut the lead to 4 points. Then, with 14.2 seconds to play and Duke trailing by 2 points, Tyler Zeller tipped a Ryan Kelly jump shot into his own basket, making the score 83-82 North Carolina. On UNC’s next offensive possession, Zeller went to the foul line and went 1/2, making the score 84-82 UNC. With just seconds left on the clock, Austin Rivers received a screen from Mason Plumlee, forcing Zeller to guard him out beyond the three point line. Zeller gave Rivers too much space, and Rivers pulled up from well beyond the arc and nailed a game winning three-point shot to complete Duke’s comeback on the road.
You can find the game HERE.
February 18th, 2015
#4 Duke defeats #15 North Carolina in Durham, 92 to 90 (OT)
With just a little over three minutes to play, Duke trailed North Carolina by 10. Duke began their comeback with a Justise Winslow three-pointer. After letting JP Tokoto score inside, Jahlil Okafor fed Winslow for an easy slam to make it a 7-point game again. After a defensive stop, Tyus Jones converted a tough layup to make it a 5-point ballgame. On the other end, Nate Britt missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Jones leaked out and was fouled on a layup attempt. Jones nailed both free throws to cut the lead to 3 points with 1:16 to play. Following Brice Johnson making a pair of free throws, Jones took control of the offense and went into the paint where he was fouled and made the bucket for an and-one.
Jones made the free throw to cut the lead to 2 points with 41 seconds to play. Jones took a screen from Winslow and finished the open layup in the paint to tie the game with 21.4 seconds on the clock.
As a result, Duke went on to win the ball game 92 to 90 due to constricting defense and old school inside scoring on offense.
You can find the game, HERE
North Carolina’s Starters
F – 13 Cameron Johnson (16.3 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.2 APG, and 1.4 SPG)
F – 32 Luke Maye (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG)
C – 15 Garrison Brooks (8.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG)
G – 24 Kenny Williams (8.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG)
G – 02 Coby White (15.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 1.0 SPG)
North Carolina beats opponents with a three man attack of Cameron Johnson, Luke Maye, and Coby White.
Cameron Johnson
Senior Cameron Johnson has been North Carolina’s most consistent player on the offensive side of the floor, failing to score in double digits just twice this season. Where he is most dangerous, though, is from beyond the three-point arc. Johnson has already taken 140 threes this season and has managed to shoot an astounding 47.9%. Expect Head Coach Roy Williams to run a lot of designed plays to find Johnson open for a spot up three-pointer.
Luke Maye
Senior Luke Maye has been quite the story. He began his career in Chapel Hill as a walk-on recruit. Once Brandon Ingram chose Duke over North Carolina, Roy Williams extended Maye a scholarship offer and never looked back. Now, Maye finds himself averaging close to a double-double while playing for a top ten team. He is dangerous from three (32.6%) and can score in the post despite lacking tier one athleticism.
Coby White
Freshman Coby White has been North Carolina’s big time performer this season as he is the only Tar Heel to score more than 30 points, and he has done it twice. He can hit threes (38.0%) and drive to the paint for two points. The guard is easily the Heels’s most dangerous player on offense, and you can expect him to attempt 12 to 18 field goals against Duke.
Outside of Carolina’s top trio, they find consistent production from Kenny Williams, Garrison Brooks, and sixth-man Nassir Little.
Freshman Nassir Little is a name to look out for. Prior to this season, Little was being labeled a sensation and a potential #1 overall pick. Stuck on Roy Williams’ bench, Little has struggled to be consistent, but he remains deadly at all times. The talent is there, and it has shown at times this season. Duke can’t afford to fall asleep and let Little get it going.
Duke’s Starters
Point Guard – #3 Tre Jones
Shooting Guard – #2 Cam Reddish
Small Forward – #5 RJ Barrett
Power Forward – #1 Zion Williamson
Center – #20 Marques Bolden
Prediction
There is a plethora of moving parts to this rivalry game, but one matchup will decide the outcome. Tre Jone’s defense versus Coby White’s offense. Jones has locked down two of the country’s best guards in St. Johns’ Shamorie Ponds and Boston College’s Ky Bowman. White has been Carolina’s heartbeat in close games this season. Jones will shutdown White tonight, and that will be the most important reason as to why Duke will win this game. Pencil in Zion Williamson having a field day versus Luke Maye and whoever else they throw at him. This is the night where Cam Reddish will finally shoot out the lights in Cameron, RJ Barrett will feast on drives to the lane, and Jack White will finally break out of his slump. I fully expect Marques Bolden to play a factor around the rim versus the Carolina front court, as well.
Duke will pull away midway through the second half.
Duke: 86
North Carolina: 77
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