Jan 26, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils ahead Cameron Boozer (12) dunks in entrance of Louisville Cardinals heart Aly Khalifa (15) throughout the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Photographs Gamers for No. 4 Duke understandably can dream huge in regards to the potentialities for the rest of the season.
However within the brief time period, there are extra urgent issues with Saturday night’s date towards No. 14 North Carolina in an Atlantic Coast Convention sport in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“It is what goals are fabricated from,” Duke guard Caleb Foster mentioned of the matchup on this storied rivalry, which started in 1920. “That is all I can actually say. It is what goals are fabricated from. I can not wait. It should be an thrilling surroundings. The sport speaks for itself, the historical past of the sport, and the wonderful gamers that performed in it.”
Duke (21-1, 10-0) is alone atop the league standings whereas North Carolina (18-4, 6-3) is tied for fifth, with 4 consecutive victories.
There are sure to be numerous storylines unfolding on the Dean Smith Middle, the place the Tar Heels have received all 13 outings this season.
On the floor, probably the most notable matchup will contain freshmen Cameron Boozer of Duke and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina.
Boozer is tied for second within the nation with a median of 23.3 factors per sport, whereas Wilson, who checks in at 20 ppg, could possibly be on monitor to set the Tar Heels’ freshman scoring document
“Clearly, we all know how huge a deal the rivalry is,” Boozer mentioned of the all-time collection, which Duke trails 145-120, in keeping with the NCAA.
Jon Scheyer has performed within the rivalry for Duke, and he now coaches the Blue Devils.
“As a participant you admire the problem,” he mentioned. “And as a coach, you do, too.”
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis is a former participant for the Tar Heels, so he is conscious of the depth that accompanies this conflict. His gamers are tuned in on that as nicely.
“I’ve all the time watched on TV,” North Carolina freshman guard Johnathan Powell mentioned. “All the time heard it since I used to be little. So being blessed with this chance to be on this workforce and to go on the market and to compete with my guys. I am prepared.”
Each groups are coming off double-figure residence victories this week, with North Carolina holding off Syracuse 87-77 on Monday and Duke topping Boston School 67-49 on Tuesday.
The Tar Heels noticed a 32-point lead dip to 6 factors earlier than ending off Syracuse.
“Now we have stretches of brilliance, after which we’ll go stretches the place we’re making a number of errors consecutively, and that is one thing that we now have to work on and get higher at,” Davis mentioned.
Duke scored 25 factors within the second half towards Boston School, marking the bottom complete in any half this season for the Blue Devils. Scheyer, nevertheless, was in a position to savor his workforce’s defensive effort and enhancements in that space.
“The principle factor is simply that the main focus and energy has been there,” he mentioned. “I am actually pleased with that.”
Previous video games are sure to be distant recollections by the point tip-off arrives for the primary Duke-North Carolina sport of the season.
Duke ahead Maliq Brown mentioned it is a particular sport anytime the Blue Devils and Tar Heels meet.
“You come to Duke to play a lot of these video games,” Brown mentioned. “You are all the time on that sort of stage and taking part in in this sort of sport.”
–Area Degree Media
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