Blue Devil Country

UNC Gifts Duke Basketball Prime Opportunity in ACC Race

UNC's upset loss in Atlanta boosts Duke basketball's chance to finish atop the conference standings.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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It's not quite accurate to say that the top spot in the ACC standings will be at stake when the No. 3 Tar Heels (17-4, 9-1) host the No. 7 Blue Devils (16-4, 7-2) in the Dean E. Smith Center at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN). However, this year's first installment of the storied UNC-Duke basketball drama could generate a tie in the loss column.

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In light of UNC's 74-73 defeat at the hands of Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Tuesday night, the Blue Devils, who enter the battle having played one fewer conference game than their archrival, now have a shot at handing the Tar Heels their second straight ACC setback. And a win would give Duke the edge in the tiebreaker department.

Despite UNC's shortcomings against an unranked Georgia Tech squad that also beat the visiting Blue Devils in early December, both rivals boast impressive recent records.

Duke, riding a three-game winning streak, has won 11 of its past 12 outings. Moreover, it's worth pointing out that the lone loss in that stretch, 80-76 at home to Pitt on Jan. 20, maintains the Blue Devils' status alongside No. 4 Houston as the nation's only ranked squads who haven't lost any contest by more than five points this season.

Meanwhile, before falling to the Yellow Jackets, UNC had reeled off 10 victories in a row. Except for the 75-68 win at Florida State on Saturday, they were all by 10 points or more.

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels won't meet again until the regular season finale in Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 9.

Second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer enjoys a 2-0 record against the Tar Heels.

Jon Scheyer Touts 'Togetherness' of Blue Devils at Virginia Tech

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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