8 Must-Watch Conference Tournament Games For Thursday

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Jan 11, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center

Jahlil Okafor

(15) head coach Mike Krzyzewski (center) and guard

Matt Jones

(13) react during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena. North Carolina State won 87-75. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Duke vs. NC State, 7:00 PM, ESPN

There may not have been an odder stretch of games for any #1 seed that the two-game swoon the Duke Blue Devils went on in mid-January. Losses to NC State on the road and Miami at home left fans (and coach Mike Krzyzewski) baffled and confused. Naturally, Duke rebounded with a win on the road against Louisville to confuse us even more and turned the ship back around to finish the year with 11 straight wins.

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But don’t think Duke forget about that stretch. NC State embarrassed them on that day, hitting threes, slamming home putback dunks, and rushing the court after upsetting the Blue Devils. It was the crowning moment of NC State’s season and the top mark on their tournament resume.

Now, the Dukies have a chance for revenge. You want to know what happens when the Blue Devils want revenge? Ask Notre Dame, who was blitzed by the Blue Devils to the tune of a 30-point demolition as revenge for beating them in South Bend earlier in the year.

NC State, you’ve been warned.

Winner: Duke, by less than 30 (maybe).

Next: Texas vs. Iowa State

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