Duke Basketball: 2018-19 keys for Blue Devils to beat rival UNC

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react following their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 94-78. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates in the 71-69 win over the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Duke Blue Devils head into Wednesday as the top ranked team in the nation as they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. What do the Blue Devils need to do to win round one?

The Duke versus Carolina rivalry is arguably the best rivalry match-up in a college basketball, and sports all-around. Wednesday night will be the 249th time these two blue bloods meet. The Tar Heels currently lead the overall series 137-111.

This years game has even more hype around it than usual (didn’t know that was possible). This is because of all the NBA talent on the floor. The Blue Devils roll out Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones – who are all more than likely going to be one and dones. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels will be running with Coby White, Nassir Little, Cameron Johnson, and Luke Maye.

With all the talent on the floor, plus the history of these two teams playing each other – the prices for tickets have sky rocketed to over $2,500. This amount for a ticket starts putting the buyer in the same market as buying Super Bowl tickets.

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Coby White gave Blue Devil fans some ammo to work with before the rivalry match-up. When White was being interviewed he mentioned that he was a Duke fan growing up and his favorite game was the Austin Rivers game-winner. This had Blue Devil fans heckling Tar Heel fans all over social media.

However, heading into Wednesday night’s action there are a few injuries to keep in mind. North Carolina has dealt with injuries all year that has affected their bench depth. Sterling Manley will miss the match-up with a “knee issue,” and Leaky Black will miss the game with an ankle injury. Little also is dealing with an ankle injury, but will play through the lingering injury.

The Blue Devils are coming off huge wins versus North Carolina State, Louisville, and Virginia to push them to No. 1 in the AP poll and to a (23-2) overall record. The Tar Heels are coming off wins versus Wake Forest, Miami FL, and North Carolina State, while also losing a close one to Virginia at home. The Tar Heels head into Wednesday night’s action No. 8 overall and (20-5) overall.

With another top ten match-up heading into the rivalry – both teams are in for a physical dogfight. Here are three keys for the Blue Devils to win over in-state rival North Carolina Tar Heels.

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