NCAA Basketball: 8 bold predictions for the 2018-19 season
By Brian Rauf
6) Duke and UNC will both make the Final Four for the second time
For as great as the Duke-UNC rivalry is, they’ve never faced off in the NCAA Tournament. Ever.
They both made the Final Four in 1991 and it looked like they might play each other in the national championship game but it didn’t happen as the Tar Heels lost to Michigan’s Fab Five.
This year will present the same scenario – both Duke and North Carolina will be playing in Minneapolis in late March.
The Blue Devils certainly lack experience with four projected freshman starters, and they also lack frontcourt depth with Marques Bolden and Javin DeLaurier serving as their only big men. Yet I think Duke has enough talent to overcome those flaws.
We’ve already talked about how good Barrett is, and Zion Williamson is going to be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams because of his size, quickness, and leaping ability. His physical tools and ability around the rim are so unique and special that it will make up for any inconsistent shooting he may endure. Then there’s Reddish, who would be the best player on any other team in the country sans Kentucky, and point guard Tre Jones, another top 10 recruit who is a dynamic playmaker and lockdown defender.
Those four are capable of doing something special a la Michigan’s Fab Five – don’t doubt them just because they’re Duke and Duke’s fun to hate.
As for the Tar Heels, they’re the team that checks more boxes than anyone else. I think they’re the best team in the country.