North Carolina at Duke: 2021-22 basketball game preview, TV schedule

North Carolina at Duke: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Miami Hurricanes during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 08, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Miami won 76-74. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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North Carolina Tar Heels Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview/Bracketology

For the first time since 2006, Duke has won the outright ACC regular-season title. They shared the title with Maryland in 2010. It’s worth mentioning that Duke has won the ACC Tournament six times since 2006 which is twice as many as any other team in the conference. Coach K and the Blue Devils have shown up in March when it matters most.

Despite the seemingly constant ridicule of first-year Head Coach Hubert Davis this season, UNC currently sits in a tie for second in the ACC. Sure, Carolina has work left to get back to competing for Final Fours every year, but Davis’ debut season has been far from a failure.

From a broader perspective, Bracket Matrix currently has North Carolina as a No. 11 seed, six spots away from the projected at-large bid cutline. A win against No. 4 Duke on Saturday would essentially clinch their spot in the NCAA Tournament. A loss on Saturday means that at least one quality win in the ACC Tournament could be necessary to secure an at-large bid.

Duke has a chance to sneak up to a No. 1 seed if they win on Saturday and win the ACC Tournament, although they will likely need some help from the Big 12 with Kansas and Baylor beating each other up as well as from the SEC with Kentucky and Auburn doing the same.

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