NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stadium: Dean E. Smith Center
The Duke Blue Devils rejoined the top 25 just in time for the best rivalry in college basketball. Next up, Duke will, of course, take on the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Don’t let Duke’s No. 20 ranking fool you (side note: North Carolina is ranked as high as No. 4), this is a very talented Duke team that could still end up winning a title. That is especially the case when you consider how wide open college hoops has been this season.
Here’s something else the Blue Devils have going for them: They have now won four contests in a row, and two of those victories came against ranked opponents.
All of the Duke praising aside, it is about to go up against one of the most experienced and talented teams in the sport. The Tar Heels are 21-4 overall and 10-2 in the ACC, which puts them at the top of the conference standings. The Blue Devils are 19-6 overall and 8-4 in conference play, so they can gain some serious ground in the ACC race with a victory in this mega-showdown.
Two Duke players to keep an eye on: Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram.
Two North Carolina players to keep an eye on: Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige.
Duke being Duke and North Carolina being North Carolina, there will be plenty of talent on the court outside of those four players.
This is the first meeting of the season between the two rivals, but the Tar Heels have the huge advantage as a result of being at home.
Both teams score at will, as they are both putting up more than 80 points per game, so fireworks can be expected.
In terms of the winner, you never know who is going to come out on top in this matchup, but let’s go with upset city (you know, if you can even consider Duke over North Carolina an upset).
PREDICTION: Blue Devils 85, Tar Heels 84
Share 
