Hubert Davis got his first taste of the UNC-Duke rivalry as a freshman in 1988, and 38 years later, he’s still bleeding Tar Heel blue. The fifth-year head coach in Chapel Hill is preparing for his 11th matchup with the Blue Devils since taking over his alma mater on Saturday at the Dean Smith Center, and according to one of his veterans, he’s setting the tone for the entire program.
Senior guard Seth Trimble spoke with the media on Thursday and revealed just how important the rivalry is to Davis. “His passion, whenever he talks about this Duke-UNC matchup. It means SO much to him ... He takes so much pride in representing the name on our chest during this matchup, and he really, really wants it."
Seth Trimble on Hubert Davis' approach entering UNC-Duke:
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) February 5, 2026
"His passion, whenever he talks about this Duke-UNC matchup. It means SO much to him ... He takes so much pride in representing the name on our chest during this matchup, and he really, really wants it."
Hubert Davis needs to get back in the win column vs. Duke after three-game sweep last season
You have to assume that passion permeates the players in that locker room, and after getting swept in three matchups last season, Davis’s fire might be burning a little brighter this time around.
Davis is 4-6 against Duke as UNC’s head coach, including downing the Blue Devils in Mike Krzyzewski's final game at Cameron Indoor in Durham and the final game of his career in the 2022 Final Four.
Those victories etched Davis’s place in this storied rivalry and further into UNC history, but they’re growing smaller in the rearview mirror for UNC fans eager to trade punches and ACC titles with Duke. Jon Scheyer has led the Blue Devils to win two of the last three conference titles and made his first Final Four in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels haven’t won the conference tournament since 2016 under Roy Williams, and nearly missed the NCAA Tournament altogether last season after whiffing on the big dance in 2023.
Davis has righted the ship after a midseason lull in ACC play, losing three of four, including a winless West Coast swing against Stanford and Cal. With four straight wins, UNC has climbed back to No. 14 in the country, but the Tar Heels are still a 5.5-point home underdog to the No. 4 Blue Devils.