The game plan UNC should take into Saturday night to defend Cameron Boozer

We like to focus on the Tar Heels over here and try to stay away from talking about that team eight miles down the road in Durham. However, as we quickly approach tip-off Saturday night for round one of the UNC-Duke 2026 rivalry, it's difficult to ignore the challenge at hand for North Carolina.

Stopping Cameron Boozer. Or better yet, just limiting him.

We discussed earlier this week about what makes this matchup different from some of the previous Duke-UNC rivalries and the focus on star-studded freshmen (on both sides). Let's dive a little deeper into that and the approach for Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels to attempt to contain the star freshmen from the Blue Devils.

Let's approach this with two different ways to defend Boozer that will work almost simultaneously in leading to success for North Carolina.

Don't let anyone else beat you

This one is pretty simple. Boozer is the only Blue Devil averaging over 30 minutes per game, at 32.5. Playing that much, it's going to be pretty straightforward - he will get his. Don't be surprised if he ends up with his average (or above) for all major statistical categories. That in itself won't cost the Tar Heels the game.

So what will?

Letting all other Duke role players exceed their averages. The game plan should be to make Boozer single-handedly beat Carolina on Saturday night. If the Tar Heels can hold all other Blue Devils under their averages, it will give them the best chance to pull off the upset at home.

Only two other players for Jon Scheyer average in double figures in points scored. Isaiah Evans with 14.5 points per game and Patrick Ngongba with 11 points per game.

From a defensive standpoint, it's best if Hubert Davis can throw multiple defensive looks at the Blue Devils' front court, specifically Cameron Boozer. Start with Caleb Wilson guarding him, then rotate to Jarin Stevenson, let Henri Veesaar take a turn, etc.

Stevenson had a breakout offensive game against Virginia in Charlottesville the other week. This game could be an opportunity to see a defensive breakout game with his length and a chance to bother Boozer offensively when it's his turn to guard him.

Avoid Foul Trouble

The second part of the recipe, outside of letting multiple players have impressive offensive nights? Avoid foul trouble.

Boozer is very successful in drawing fouls against the opposition; that cannot be allowed on Saturday night. If Boozer can get Veesaar or Wilson into foul trouble, then it could be a long night in Chapel Hill.

Just how important is Veesaar? Check out this stat from Nick Bateman on X.

Basically, when Veesaar is on the bench, North Carolina's level of play drops... significantly. That's a huge deal when you're talking about defending 6-foot-9 Cameron Boozer and 6-foot-11 Patrick Ngongba. North Carolina cannot afford to have Veesaar get into foul trouble.

The best defensive approach? Throw multiple defensive looks at the Blue Devil front court. The UNC basketball team has been very successful under Hubert Davis in running the diamond press. It just sometimes feels like they don't use it enough or wait too late in the game to bring it out. This may be a time when that is needed earlier in the game.

Maybe throw in some double teams and baseline traps at Boozer early too just to show a different look.

On the offensive end...

Caleb Wilson is pretty good at drawing fouls on the offensive end, too. We may see an aggressive approach to get Boozer into foul trouble early.

This is definitely going to be a chess match between Jon Scheyer and Hubert Davis to see which coach can effectively (and efficiently) use their star freshman to not only provide success offensively but also open up the rest of the floor for the other four players on the floor at any given time.

The team that can get their role players involved the most may just put themselves in the best position to win the first matchup in 2025-2026.

Ultimate Game Plan

Let Boozer get his. Shut down Ngongba, Evans, and the rest of the Blue Devils supporting cast.