Duke and UNC meet for the first time this season on Wednesday with both ranked in the top 10. What will determine who draws first blood this year?
Duke-North Carolina is the greatest rivalry in college sports – and might be the best in all of sports, period.
Between the All-Americans, NBA Draft picks, national championships, and Hall of Fame coaches, there’s no doubting either program as one of college basketball’s marquee teams. Throw in the fact that they’re separated by only a handful of miles and it’s easy to see why this rivalry resonates well beyond the state of North Carolina.
And, as happens most seasons, their matchup on Wednesday will play a huge role in shaping the national landscape.
The Blue Devils enter Wednesday’s showdown as the No. 1 team in the country (again) after dominant performances against Virginia and NC State bookended their thrilling comeback victory over Louisville. Most have agreed that they’ve proven to be the best team in the country during that stretch, and they’ll get another chance to prove that against another top 10 team in the Tar Heels.
This season has not been as smooth of sailing for UNC. Carolina started 8-3 with disappointing losses to Texas and Michigan, then was blown out at home by Louisville last month. Since then, the Heels are 8-1 with the lone loss coming against Virginia in an extremely close game.
Coby White has emerged as a superstar and their veteran core – particularly Cam Johnson – are back to playing at a high level. However, they won’t enter this game 100 percent healthy. Nassir Little, who would be tasked with guarding Zion Williamson, is still getting over an ankle injury.
That matchup will obviously be a factor, but I don’t see it as a deciding one. Instead, here are the three biggest keys and storylines that will decide the first matchup of the season between these two bitter rivals.