Duke Blue Devils and UNC Tar Heels Set to Break Peculiar Streak Dating Back to 1960 in Their Next Match
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Jan 23, 2021; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard DJ Steward (2) passes the ball away from Louisville Cardinals guard David Johnson (13) during a NCAA basketball game at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Utterback-USA TODAY Sports
Two of the biggest rivals in NCAA basketball history clash this weekend. The Duke Blue Devils host the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Cameron Indoor Stadium in a classic ACC encounter. It is also the meeting of two of the most experienced coaches in the league, Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams.
But this matchup will not be as celebrated as it was before. Because this is the first time since 1960, that these two teams are both unranked while facing each other. It has been over 150 games since that last unranked encounter on February 27, 1960, when the Tar Heels won 75-70.
Just went on @MarkPacker show and he dropped this crazy nugget on me:
This weekend will be the first matchup between Duke and UNC where both teams will be unranked since FEBRUARY 27, 1960.
That’s the first time in 154 games where neither team will be ranked.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 1, 2021
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This stat is a brutal reminder of how poor the 2020-21 season has been for these fallen giants. The Blue Devils are in a worse spot, with a 7-6 record, while the Tar Heels record is currently 11-5. Both of them need a win desperately, but it looks like the Tar Heels will prevail once again.
Duke Blue Devils and UNC Tar Heels: Rivals with a long history
Since 1949-50, the Blue Devils have played the Tar Heels 183 times, six more than any other team in Division I. But their record stands at 86-98, which shows how good the Tar Heels have been. They have had some thrilling encounters in the past.
In 1984, they battled it out in a 2OT game. It was the last game for Michael Jordan in Chapel Hill. After leading them to a title in his rookie season, the junior guard was declaring for the NBA in the following season. So before he left, he kept it late but ensured a 96-83 win for the Tar Heels in double overtime.
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February 4, 2004, marked the beginning of a new rivalry. Williams had just taken over the Tar Heels, and it was his first battle against Coach Krzyzewski. This was another overtime thriller, but the Blue Devils prevailed this time, following a game-winning layup from Chris Duhon.
March 6, 2005, marks another classic encounter between these two legendary teams. The Tar Heels were on course for their first regular-season title since 1993. With just around three minutes left, Duke was up 73–64. But Williams’ boys went on an inspired run after that to win 75-72, making it one of their best comebacks ever.
While this weekend’s matchup doesn’t have such high stakes, it could still be a promising game.
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