Basketball’s Greatest Rivalry – Part 1

by Sharon Thorsland

It’s college basketball rivalry weekend and that means it’s time for the best rivalry in the game, or as some would call it – the greatest rivalry in sports. It’s #2 Duke taking on North Carolina in Durham on Saturday night. With the Tar Heels struggling, this version of the rivalry doesn’t look so exciting. But some of the greatest games played between theses teams have come when one team is down – remember the double OT classic at Cameron in 1995 when UNC was Duke was 0-7 in ACC play headed into the game? Count me as one of those who call that the greatest game of all time. This time around it’s Duke that looks unstoppable, the Blue Devils are off to their best start since 2007, sitting at 18-2 overall, 10-0 ACC), and riding a 14-game win streak. The Tar Heels (13-9, 6-4) have lost three of their last four games and are in desperate need of a marquee win to bolster their NCAA tournament chances. The game tips off at 6:30 on WBT.

The Blue Devils are led by star freshman Cooper Flagg. The big man will probably be the number one pick in this summer’s NBA draft, but in the meantime he’s dominating the competition on the college front. He’s averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game, and is also a threat from behind the arc. Flagg teams with two other standout freshmen in Kon Kneuppel and 7’2 center Khama Maluach. That height could be a big problem for UNC, as big man Jalen Washington is dealing with a knee injury. Tyrese Proctor is back for his junior year, and Isaiah Evans is a deep threat averaging over 47% from 3-point range. The Tar Heels have shown they can play outstanding defense and will have to be locked in on that front to have a chance in this one.

The Heels need big games from offensive leaders RJ Davis and freshman Ian Jackson. Davis is 6-3 against the Blue Devils but will need to up his game to beat them in his final trip to Cameron Indoor.

This is the 263rd matchup between these teams, and in spite of UNC’s struggles, it’s a hot ticket. Prices start at over $1500 and top out at nearly $14,000 for lower level seats! UNC won both games against Duke last season, and while the Blue Devils certainly look to be the better team this season, in this rivalry anything can happen. Go Tar Heels!