North Carolina Basketball: 3 keys to topple Duke in 2020-21 rivalry showdown

There is no mystery as to just how legendary the rivalry between North Carolina Basketball and Duke is – not only in college basketball but in sports overall – but this season’s showdown will feature a backdrop not seen in over 50 years.

For the first time since February 27, 1960, both the Tar Heels and Blue Devils will face each other while unranked in the AP Poll, snapping a 153-game streak where at least one was nationally ranked.  As well-documented as this rivalry’s significance is, it is also no mystery that these two teams are uncharacteristically struggling – and both are in need of a win.

In a season where nearly every blue blood has endured historic struggles, the Tar Heels appeared to be the forerunner of the group in terms of success.  After devastating back-to-back losses to N.C. State and Georgia Tech to close December, UNC ripped through January with a 6-1 record – the lone loss coming by single-digits at Florida State.

Those fortunes did not last long, however, as the Tar Heels saw their success cut short by a similarly-ailing Clemson squad on Tuesday.  In a 63-50 loss – the first time the Tar Heels have finished in the 50s all season – North Carolina experienced little to no success, with their largest lead simply being two points – while facing as much as a 16-point deficit.

Arguably, the Blue Devils have had it worse.  After starting the ACC season 3-0, the Blue Devils proceeded to drop their next three to Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Louisville.  Like the Tar Heels, however, Duke experienced some rebounds, scooping up home wins over a solid Georgia Tech team as well as Clemson – but, also like UNC, the Blue Devils saw their success snapped with an awful 77-75 loss at Miami on Monday.

Inconsistency has plagued Duke for most of the season, but it was their defense that ailed them against the Hurricanes.  Surrendering 1.12 points per possession and clips of 52.2% (2PT) and 53.8% (3PT) to Miami, the Blue Devils, at the very least, enjoyed some solid offensive showings, with four players reaching double-figures in Matthew Hurt (21 points), Wendell Moore (18 points), DJ Steward (14 points), and Jalen Johnson (13 points).

Both teams desperately need this win, to say the least.  The Tar Heels are, as of now, still in the tournament field – but barely.  The Blue Devils, meanwhile, are on the wrong side of the bubble and need to do a substantial amount of work in order to place themselves back in the playoff picture.  A loss would put both teams several steps back, to say the least.

The Tar Heels are still in need of a season-defining win – and, while a win over Duke may not fulfill that, it would easily be one of the best on North Carolina’s resume.  For that to happen, however, UNC will need to utilize a few keys.