By: Ben McCormick
February 4, 2023
For the first time since 1980, Duke will take on North Carolina without Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline. It's the beginning of the Scheyer Era at Duke, the first rivalry matchup for him as a head coach and for this team. In fact only one Blue Devil has played against the Tar Heels in this rivalry before: Jeremy Roach.
These are two different teams than last year, yes. Although that's more so true for Duke than UNC, who returned five of its six main players from last season. But ultimately, whether fans want to admit it or not, the emotionally heightened ending of last season is in the back of everyone's minds. These two teams played arguably in the biggest matchup in their rivalry's history, and UNC won. That is a fact that is hard to ignore.
Now with Coach K retired and Jon Scheyer at the helm going up against Hubert Davis in just his second year as head coach at UNC, a new chapter is beginning. But how do you follow up such a massive ending to an era? We can't say for sure, but I can say with certainty that it's still Duke-UNC, and this rivalry is far from over. It is a alive and well.
Alive and well despite the fact that for the third time in ad many seasons both teams are unranked at the time of their meeting. Duke is currently projected as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament by Joe Lunardi with a record of 16-6. UNC is projected as a No. 9 seed with a record of 15-7. The Tar Heels, who lost their second game of the season to Pittsburgh earlier this week, have not picked up a big resume building win this season, especially not on the road. This could be their opportunity to assert themselves back on the national stage.
Each team has a big that leads them in scoring and on the boards.
For UNC, that is it's all-time rebounding and double-doubles leader Armando Bacot who averages 17.7 PPG and an ACC best 11.4 RPG. Bacot is currently the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year.
For Duke, it's the current front runner for ACC Rookie of the Year, Kyle Filipowski, who averages 15.8 PPG and 9.5 RPG. Filipowski has averaged 21 points and nearly 12 rebounds in his last six games for Duke. The young freshman will be important for Duke in matching up with Bacot.
Also tasked with matching up with Bacot will be Dereck Lively II. Although, the key for Lively guarding Bacot will be staying out of foul trouble. Lively has been playing his best basketball of the season lately on both ends. The Blue Devils could use a big boost from the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2022 if they want to come out with a win.
The guard matchups will be particularly interesting. UNC is led by its veteran front court of RJ Davis and Caleb Love who each average over 16 PPG. Duke will look to match the dynamic pair with Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor, who have looked really solid as of late. Roach is Duke's second highest scorer at 12.2 PPG, and Proctor, whose scoring average is quickly rising is putting up just shy of 9 PPG on the season.
If Duke can slow down UNC's big three and if Mark Mitchell can limit stretch four Pete Nance, Duke can hope to claim an advantage off the bench. While Duke will be without Dariq Whitehead for the third striaght game after a sprain in his lower leg on Jan. 23 vs. Virginia Tech, the Blue Devils will have big man Ryan Young who could provide some sneaky offense for Duke.
As usual it will be a hard fought battle. It's Duke vs. UNC and it always delivers.
@Duke_Wisdom
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