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North Carolina vs Duke: 2022 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule

Mar 5, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tar Heels won 94-81. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tar Heels won 94-81. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Rivals Duke and North Carolina will face off in the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Will the Tar Heels end Coach K’s career once and for all?

TV schedule: Saturday, April 2nd, 8:39 pm ET. (approx), TBS

Arena: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

Duke and North Carolina have played one another many times and have become one of the most famous rivalries in all of sports. Yet they haven’t ever faced off in the NCAA Tournament, which is somewhat a surprise considering both teams have made several Final Four runs, just never at the same time. And what perfect timing, as Coach K is down to his final games as head coach of the Blue Devils, while Hubert Davis makes the Final Four in year one of the Tar Heels.

Duke’s path to the Final Four

After an easy 17-point win over Cal State Fullerton in the first game, Duke had an incredibly tough matchup against Tom Izzo and Michigan State. The game could’ve gone either way but clutch shot-making gave the Blue Devils the 85-78 victory, led by 19 points from Paolo Banchero.

The Texas Tech game went in a similar fashion, with the matchup being close for the first 35 minutes before Duke’s offense exploded at the end for a five-point win. All five starters were in double figures, with Banchero going for a game-high 22 points.

After two nailbiters, Duke got a “break”, being able to blow the game wide-open against Arkansas, leading by as much as 20 points before eventually winning, 78-69. AJ Griffin had a team-high 18 points, while big man Mark Williams had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

UNC’s path to the Final Four

After a blowout win over Marquette in the 8 vs 9 matchup, the Tar Heels was up by 25 points against No. 1 seed Baylor in the second half before Brady Manek got ejected after a flagrant foul. They blew the entire lead and had to go to overtime but 30 points from RJ Davis propelled them to a 93-86 victory.

UCLA proved to be a much more balanced contest, with the Tar Heels trailing at the half but outscored them by 10 in the final 20 minutes to win, 73-66. Caleb Love had 30 points and several tough baskets when the offense was struggling. The offense didn’t struggle in the Elite 8 against Cinderella Saint Peter’s, racing out to a 9-0 lead and never being threatened, ultimately winning by 20 points. to make the Final Four.

X-factors emerging for both teams

The MVP for Duke’s Final Four run to me was Jeremy Roach, a sophomore point guard that has had his ups and downs the past couple of years and was playing off the bench before the NCAA Tournament. But back as a starter, Roach has been great, averaging just under 14 ppg and four assists.

5th-year transfer Brady Manek has averaged 15 ppg this season for North Carolina but has been producing 21.5 ppg and 8.0 rpg in the NCAA Tournament, including 28 points against Marquette. Guys like Armando Bacot and Caleb Love are already capable of going for 25+ but now that Manek is as well, that only raises their ceiling.

Considering that these teams split their regular-season matchups on the road, there’s no telling how Round 3 will go. The Tar Heels somehow won at Duke in Coach K’s last home game, while the Blue Devils dominated the first matchup in Chapel Hill. Both teams are playing their best basketball of the season and are healthy and shooting the lights out. This could very well end up as an instant thriller shootout in New Orleans, with whoever gets the ball last winning the game.

Prediction: Duke 87, UNC 85