Carolina Beats Duke In End of Season Rivalry
posted by Troy Hobbs III | March 12, 2024 | In SportsTensions were high on March 9 at Cameron Stadium as Duke University and University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill wrapped up their regular season play against each other.
This is one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports history. These two teams have crossed paths many times over many decades of close competitions in multiple sports, but the basketball rivalry takes the crown.
For Duke, their wish was to redeem themselves after the midseason loss to the Tar Heels, as well as make a push for both the ACC and NCAA Tournaments with a regular season win over their rival.
This game was also Duke’s senior night and possibly the last home game for star player Jeremy Roach.
For Carolina, their wish was to claim the one seed in the ACC Tournament as well as boost morale by hoping to beat Duke twice in the regular season.
As soon as the game started Cormac Ryan, North Carolina’s graduate student started off hot. The transfer from Notre Dame hit 3 threes in the first 5 minutes putting Carolina up to an early 11-point lead.
Over the course of the first half, Duke was rallying against Carolina as they were down as much as 15. However, key defensive plays turned to points by Tyrese Proctor and Jared McCain helped bring them back within 7 to climb the ladder.
For Carolina, their hot start was slowly quenched, but their defense was key in guarding Kyle Filipowski and maintaining their lead. Seth Trimble Carolina’s sixth man was key in leading this defensive effort, as freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau was in early foul trouble.
At halftime the score was 40-31 as Carolina went into the half up by 9.
In the second half, Filipowski started with a hot hand playing both sides on the ball offense and defense, getting steals scoring all 8 early points for Duke in the first three minutes. As well as a three-pointer by Roach brought Duke within a one-point game.
However, Carolina responded back with a 7-0 run to put them up by 9. This was helped by great defensive stops from Jae’Lyn Withers, who got a block defensively and a putback layup on offense in the same play. The very next play, Armando Bacot in his final regular season game as a Tar Heel got a block resulting in an easy layup for Ryan.
Within the middle of the second half, Ryan was able to get open and hit open three-pointers.
Between the 7 and 6 minutes to go, it was the Harrison Ingram and McCain battle. Each had an and one, scoring back and forth for their teams.
Carolina and Duke both were in tough spots as Carolina’s Cadeau and Duke’s Filipowski were both fouled four times with four and a half minutes to go causing an 8-point lead for Carolina.
However, it did not bother either team as Ryan and Filipowski were trading threes with three minutes left.
The last two minutes were back and forth for both teams. Ryan was able to hit a clutch three and made free throws at the line, finishing the game going 9-10. However, threes by Roach and T.J. Power were able to bring the game to three points. But the clock was not on the Blue Devils side as Carolina got the victory, winning 84-79.
The Player of the Game was Ryan as he finished with 31 points helping Carolina win with his threes especially in the first half.
Carolina won and became the ACC Regular Season title winners and will go to the ACC Tournament with the 1st seed. For Duke, they will go into the ACC Tournament with the 2nd seed. Both teams will get not one but two round byes and will play the winners of the first two rounds on March 14.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.