UNC Basketball: Staff Picks @ Duke

The UNC basketball team travels to Durham for a crucial matchup with their rivals on Saturday evening.

There will be a lot on the line when the Tar Heels and Blue Devils square off in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday night.  With both teams tied in the conference standings, this game has significant implications for both the ACC and NCAA Tournament next month.  UNC is coming off of a frustrating home loss to Pittsburgh, and they are in need of a season-defining victory.  Will the Tar Heels bounce back and win round one of the best rivalries in college basketball?  Find out what our staff thinks below.

Nick Delahanty

Every time I start to think I can trust this group, they end up giving me doubts again.

I thought this group would come out and make a statement against Pittsburgh, especially after their early season loss that they let slip through their fingertips. It was a similar situation on the Tar Heels’ home floor, as Jeff Capel and his crew got the better of them once again.

Honestly, if you’re not ready to compete in this rivalry, what are you doing at a school like North Carolina?

I expect the players to be fully ready to go, as they are experienced in this rivalry and look to continue their recent success over the Blue Devils.

However, given that we simply don’t know which team will show up tonight, I’m giving the edge in this one to the home team.

Prediction: Duke 73, North Carolina 71

Mark DeMott

I think that the injury report could end up being the determining factor in this one.

RJ Davis struggled shooting the other night and is dealing with a dislocated finger on his shooting hand.  Davis had problems with this earlier in the season, and I don’t think the Heels can win in Cameron without a good night from their junior point guard.

Puff Johnson is expected to play after missing the past few games due to a knee issue.  If Johnson is 100% he could have a big role in this one, potentially spending some time guarding Duke’s Kyle Filipowski.

On the Duke side of things, Dariq Whitehead will not be available due to an injury he suffered a couple of weeks ago.  This gives UNC a break, as he is one of Duke’s best shooters and natural scorers.

I think Carolina will get solid performances from Bacot, Love, and Davis (if the finger isn’t acting up) but they will need someone else to help carry the load.  If they can win the battle on the glass and get some help outside of their “big three”, I think UNC can pull it off.

Prediction: North Carolina 77, Duke 70

Aaron Conrad

The Tar Heels roll into Hansbrough Indoor coming off a terrible loss to Pitt.

Wait, is this a replay? Is this groundhogs day from last season? This one feels weird and different. Two new head coaches. Heels knocked off the Blue Devils in an epic Final Four. They showed up in boots to both of Coach K’s black tie affairs (Shout out to Garth Brooks).

We will learn all we need to know about this years team by how this game goes. If you can’t get up for this one and be ready to play, then you aren’t going to be the team that will be there the last weekend in early April. Period

Prediction: North Carolina 85, Duke 84

Spencer Schultz

This feels like a huge point in the season, as the Heels come off another devastating loss to Pittsburgh. Heading to Cameron Indoor after a loss isn’t ideal, but this Duke team is certainly beatable.

RJ Davis didn’t look like himself against Pittsburgh, as he continues to be banged up. The Heels will need him on Saturday night if they want any chance of walking away with a victory.

Prediction: Duke 79, North Carolina 76