A Rivalry Renewed: UNC/Duke

It's rivalry week in College Basketball and tonight at 9 PM ET, NCAA's biggest rivalry renews.  Yes, that's right, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels visit the Duke Blue Devils.  The meeting will be the 226th game between the two; UNC leads the heated rivalry 128-97, dating back to 1920 (when UNC defeated Duke 36-25 on the road.  The third-ranked 'Heels are seeking their fourth straight road victory over the fifth-ranked Blue Devils in Cameron.  Keep in mind, these two schools are separated by just a couple miles (in fact, I have visited both campuses a few years back; I liked UNC's better).

So, in just a couple hours, these two teams will once again battle it out down south.  These two teams are very similar this year.  Why don't we take a closer look at these two squads..

• Both teams are 7-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

• UNC: 21-2 overall; Duke: 20-3 overall

*Coach Roy Williams v.s. Coach K

Williams:

Age 58

581-136 (.810) in head coaching career

Six seasons as 'Heels head coach (since '03)

One National Championship (2005 w/ UNC)

Two ACC Tournament Championships (2007, 2008)

Three ACC (regular season) Championships (2005, 2007, 2008)

Won 13 total Conference Championships in Big 12 and Big Eight

Two-time AP Coach of the Year (1992, 2006)

Naismith College Coach of the Year (1997)

Krzyzewski:

Age 61

803-267 (.750) in head coaching career

28 seasons as Blue Devils head coach (since '80)

Olympic Gold Medal (2008; Team USA)

Three National Championships (1986, 1988, 2001 w/ Duke)

Ten ACC Tournament Championships (1986, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)

Eleven ACC (regular season) Championships (1986, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006)

Three-time Naismith Coach of the Year (1989, 1992, 1999)

NABC National Coach of the Year (1991)

Five-time ACC Coach of the Year (1984, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2000)

Edge: DUKE

*Scoring

UNC Top Scorers:

Tyler Hansbrough, Senior forward: 19 games, 29.2 MIN, 22.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.5 BLK, 0.8 STL, 2.0 PF

Ty Lawson, Junior guard: 23 games, 27.9 MIN, 15.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 6.6 APG, 0.1 BLK, 2.2 STL, 1.6 PF

Wayne Ellington, Junior guard: 23 games, 28.0 MIN, 15.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.2 BLK, 1.2 STL, 1.7 PF

Danny Green, Senior guard/forward: 23 games, 26.2 MIN, 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.6 BLK, 1.9 STL, 2.1 PF

Deon Thompson, Junior forward: 23 games, 26.0 MIN, 11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 1.2 BLK, 0.8 STL, 2.2 PF

Duke Top Scorers:

Kyle Singler, Sophomore forward: 23 games, 30.3 MIN, 15.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 BLK, 1.7 STL, 2.4 PF

Gerald Henderson, Junior guard/forward: 23 games, 27.3 MIN, 15.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 BLK, 1.5 STL, 1.6 PF

Jon Scheyer, Junior guard: 23 games, 30.8 MIN, 13.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.2 BLK, 1.5 STL, 1.7 PF

Nolan Smith, Sophomore guard: 23 games, 22.6 MIN, 9.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.0 BLK, 1.0 STL, 1.8 PF

Greg Paulus, Senior guard: 22 games, 19.4 MIN, 6.1 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.0 BLK, 1.0 STL, 1.5 STL

Edge: UNC

From the stats above, it seems quite clear that the Tar Heels have the advantage on the court.  North Carolina has the size advantage inside, and is a better scoring team.  I think that, because of a the presence of a couple outside shooters as well, for UNC, the 'Heels will pull out a close win in Cameron tonight..78-74.

SSreportersLegend

272 days ago

Score 1

North Carolina will win by a bigger margin than 4, I think.

Duke can say hello to 2nd round or sweet 16 disappointment. They don't do well with physical and/or quick teams. Duke also makes too many mistakes to beat a team like UNC.

I'd be surprised if they win.

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SSreportersLegend

272 days ago

Score 1

The day is mine!!

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