Keeping It Heel
Fansided

Tar Heels stay undefeated after first Duke game under Roy Williams

By Davis Wallace

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a call by the officials during the second half of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a call by the officials during the second half of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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A North Carolina Victory on Saturday against Florida State keeps the Tar Heels perfect record in tack.

Whether it’s a win or loss against their hated rival, Duke, the North Carolina Tar Heels have an impressive streak going following the first meeting with the Blue Devils each year.

In the Roy Williams era, the Tar Heels are 16-0 against their next opponent following the first Duke game; an impressive feat that has gone unnoticed over the years.

The Tar Heels and Blue Devils square off mid to late February every season in the heart of Atlantic Coast Conference play and then again for the season finale right before the ACC Tournament begins.

Out of those 16 victories, 15 were conference opponents, seven have been on the road, one game went to overtime, and the Tar Heels average 85.8 points per game.

The streak started on February 7, 2004, with a win at Wake Forest by a score of 79-73. Led by Sean May and Melvin Scott the Tar Heels took a 34-18 lead and never looked back. The following year on February 13, 2005, the Tar Heels went up against Hartford and defeated a ranked UCONN ball club.

The first time the Tar Heels defended this streak at home was against Wake Forest back in 2007 when Reyshawn Terry scored 23 points to help deliver a win.  UNC was a legit national championship contender that season but fell short in the Elite 8 losing to Georgetown.

Clemson seems to be the team that pushes UNC to the brink of the end. In 2008 it took the Tar Heels double-overtime to escape with the victory and held off the Tigers in 2011 by a score of 64-62.

NC State has faced UNC three times following the first Duke game. The Tar Heels margin of victory against them is 14.6 points. The only conference teams that haven’t had the privilege of losing to UNC after the first Duke game include: Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Louisville, Notre Dame, Boston College, and Pittsburgh.

In conclusion, the first Duke game is always an emotional rollercoaster; it speaks volumes Roy Williams’ preparation to get his teams ready for the next game instead of dwelling on the Blue Devils.

Next. UNC climbs into the top 5 in latest poll. dark

The 2019-2020 ACC schedule hasn’t be released yet, but it does not fare well for whoever play the Tar Heels.

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