It’s the best rivalry in college basketball, and some people even claim it to be the greatest rivalry in sports. Although North Carolina holds the overall lead in their historic rivalry, 143-117, Duke is currently on a two-game winning streak.
This clash is particularly significant as both teams occupy the top two spots in the ACC standings – UNC with a 9-1 record and Duke with 7-2. North Carolina suffered its first conference loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday, so Saturday’s game is crucial for a potential rebound.
However, despite the stakes, I’m hesitant to support the Tar Heels at the current odds. Instead, I’m focusing on a prediction for a low-scoring game in my Duke vs. North Carolina pick.
| FINAL | 1 | 2 | T |
| DUKE | 35 | 49 | 84 |
| UNC | 45 | 48 | 93 |
With guards Elliot Cadeau, RJ Davis, and Cormac Ryan distributing the ball to post player Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels have a fast-paced, post-focused offense. To stop this formidable offense, good transition and post-up defense are essential. Fortunately, Duke’s Jon Scheyer has both.
Duke vs North Carolina prediction
While the Blue Devils may not be elite at preventing efficient transition scoring, they excel at limiting these opportunities. Duke allows the 30th-fewest transition possessions per game (9.1) and ranks in the 88th percentile for fast-break points per game allowed (7.3). Defensive guards Jeremy Roach, Jared McCain, and Tyrese Proctor are up to the challenge of facing North Carolina’s backcourt.
On the interior, Kyle Fillipowski and Mark Mitchell prove effective as defenders, with Duke ranking in the top 20 nationally in post-up points allowed. This should make life difficult for Bacot, and I anticipate the Blue Devils fiercely denying the Tar Heels’ pace-and-post offense.
However, on the offensive end, Duke may face challenges against the Heels, especially when Filipowski is on the roll. North Carolina’s forwards, such as Bacot, Jalen Washington, and Harrison Ingram, demonstrate their expertise by guarding ball-screen roll-man plays better than average..
Furthermore, neither team can easily score points because the other is a great transition defense player. I don’t foresee efficient scoring in open or half-court plays, and both teams will struggle to get second-chance points against two of the best defensive-rebounding teams in the ACC.
This creates the conditions for a low-scoring contest similar to the two previous meetings, in which Duke won 62-57 and 63-57. Both of these games went under the closing totals of 143 to 145 points. I expect a similar game script this time, with Duke denying North Carolina’s pace-and-post and both teams battling defensively.
For my pick, I’m leaning towards another Under in the Duke vs. North Carolina matchup