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UNC Basketball: Duke shouldn’t hear their name called on Selection Sunday

By Zack Pearson

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-76. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 89-76. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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While the UNC Basketball program played themselves off of the bubble and will hear their name called on Selection Sunday, their rival down the road in Durham likely won’t.

It’s no secret that Duke has had their fair share of struggles this season and even to .500 at one point in the season. For a while it really appeared as if Duke had no chance at the NCAA Tournament, yet Bracketologists like Joe Lunardi had them on the bubble with at least a chance for reasons why don’t know why.

The fact is, Duke isn’t a good team and their fanbase has even accepted that. Yet, there are still reports that the Blue Devils could get into the tournament with some dominos falling their way in terms of conferences and potential COVID news. So far, that hasn’t happened as a few teams have pushed Duke back a bit, stealing bids in conference tournaments. Teams like Georgetown and Oregon State didn’t help Duke’s case.

But as we head into Selection Sunday, Duke is still eligible to make the tournament despite a positive test last week. And there is still that thought in the back of people’s minds that the Blue Devils might actually get into the tournament.

Lunardi has Duke on his “Next Four Out” line, leaving a sliver of hope. Other Bracketologists don’t see it and don’t have the Blue Devils being anywhere near the bubble.

CBS Sports Jerry Palm, NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, and  USA Today are among the predictors that don’t have Duke even on the Next Four Out line. Bracketville does but has them dead last on that line.

While there is a sliver of hope for the Blue Devils and that train is being conducted primarily by Lunardi, I think it’s somewhat safe to say that we shouldn’t hear Duke’s name in terms of the tournament field on Sunday. And if that happens, it will end their streak of 24-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament dating back to 1996.

I have a feeling UNC fans won’t mind that one bit, either.

Next. A look at UNC Bracketology ahead of Selection Sunday. dark

For more on the UNC Basketball program and the upcoming NCAA Tournament, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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