All Tar Heels

Duke Gets Key Player Back for Game Against UNC Basketball Team

UNC basketball will have its hands full versus the Blue Devils in Durham.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis versus Duke
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis versus Duke / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
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The Duke basketball team (18-2, 10-0 ACC) will be at full strength when the program hosts the reeling UNC basketball squad (13-9, 6-4 ACC) for the first of this season's two scheduled rivalry bouts, tipping off in Cameron Indoor Stadium at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN).

ALSO READ: UNC Guard RJ Davis Nearing Top Five on All-Time ACC Scoring List

Just before noon on Saturday, the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils, winners of a nation-leading 14 straight games, announced that forward Maliq Brown will be available to play for the first time since sustaining a right knee injury in Duke's home win over Notre Dame on Jan. 11.

Brown, a 6-foot-9, 222-pound junior in his first year at Duke after transferring from Syracuse, is averaging only 2.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across his 15 outings this season. However, the reigning ACC All-Defensive Team selection leads Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils with his 3.3 steals per 40 minutes on the court.

"It's not just the defense," Scheyer recently said about Maliq Brown's impact as a spark off the bench. "It's also the creating some disruption on defense, which can lead to easy baskets."

Meanwhile, UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels, who already have more losses than the program's entire 2023-24 campaign, desperately need to pull off the upset by notching their third straight victory in the series.

ALSO READ: Tar Heel Season Stat Leaders Entering Rivalry Clash Against Blue Devils

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, 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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