Live Blog: North Carolina - Duke II

Heels look to sweep rivals in regular season finale

It’s time for the Duke-Carolina rematch, as the ACC season comes to an end at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill Saturday night.

The Tar Heels will look to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. Most bracketologists have Carolina in the field, with projected seeds ranging from No. 9 to No. 11. A win over the Blue Devils should send the Heels into the ACC Tournament on the right side of the NCAA Bubble. A loss could put UNC on the razor’s edge, with the Tar Heels needing to post a run in the conference tournament to lock up a bid.

Duke’s footing isn’t as firm. The Blue Devils enter the game on the wrong side of the Bubble, ranging from the “first four out” to even more dire a situation. A win over the Tar Heels could change things significantly for the Blue Devils, and many prognosticators are speculating that Saturday’s game could be for one berth. At the very least, it’s safe to say that a loss on Saturday would doom the Blue Devils to “win the ACC Tournament or else” status.

Duke and Carolina both shot themselves in the foot earlier this week, losing their midweek game prior to the rivalry showdown. It’s the first time since 2007 that each team has entered both rivalry games coming off a loss. Carolina lost to Syracuse on Monday and appears to be struggling down the stretch. The Tar Heels have essentially played one good half—a comeback from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat Florida State—in the last three games.

Duke lost its second straight overtime game, dropping a heartbreaker at Georgia Tech after previously losing to Louisville on Duke’s Senior Night.

Saturday will be Carolina’s Senior Night, with Garrison Brooks, Andrew Platek, KJ Smith and Walker Miller all playing their final home game—barring a decision to take a “super senior” year next season.

Starting Lineups:

Duke: Moore, Hurt, Williams, Steward, Roach

UNC: Black, Platek, Brooks, Miller, Smith (all but Black are seniors)

 Your officials: Ron Groover, Bert Smith, Brian Dorsey  

 DJ Steward opens things with a charge.  

Didn't see what happened to Brooks, but I didn't see him as the first senior to leave the game for UNC. He went straight back to the locker room with a member of the medical staff

UNC seniors get 1:50 and leave with a 2-0 lead.

Patrick Tape scores to slow UNC's fast start. Then Duke forces a UNC turnover. At the under 16, it's 11-4 Heels

 Loose ball after the time out. Zero of the 10 players in the game went onto the floor to get it. Very telling for both teams...  

Harris passed up an open three to an equally open Love, who hits. Carolina up 10 now. Still no sign of Brooks

 Brooks is back at 13 minutes, checks in with Williams who immediately sends him to the scorer's table  

 Brooks immediately hits a jumper to make it 18-4. Time out Duke, 12:39 to go before half  

Carolina is 8-of-12 and has gotten some wide open looks. Duke is 2-of-10 with five turnovers 

 Mark Williams beat everyone down the floor but Goldwire didn't pass. Instead, he handed off to Moore, who traveled with no pressure from UNC, 40 feet from the basket.

At the under 12, it's 21-6 Carolina  

 Garrison Brooks with an off-balance fall-away three after losing his balance at the end of the shot clock, and it goes. That kind of night for UNC (and Duke) right now. 24-6 Heels.  

 Duke with back-to-back steals, and Steward has a shot at a four-point play after the foul by Davis. It's now 26-12.  

Brakefield tries to take the charge but refs call it a blocking foul on him. His second. Duke's fifth. UNC still has not been called for a foul. At the under 8, it's 26-12.

Duke's 10th turnover takes us to the under 4. Heels lead 33-16

 Wheels coming off for Duke as the half winds down. Blue Devils can't hit anything. Love hits to give UNC a 2-point lead, then Carolina forces a turnover at midcourt. Brooks hits a long J and it's 40-18.  

Hurt scores five straight for Duke.

Bacot goes up for a dunk but is fouled by Brakefield. That's his third.

 Steward hits a three at the end of the half. With Hurt's run, it helps salvage something for Duke, who trails 42-26.  

 Black, Love, Bacot, Brooks, Walton start second half for UNC. Brakefield replaces Roach to start half for Duke  

Duke definitely scrapping more. You can tell they know their season is on the line. Hasn't cut the UNC lead though. At the under 12, it's 56-40

 Garrison Brooks with his second three of the game. Carolina has hit its last four shots. Duke has missed its last five. Time out Duke, UNC up 66-42.  

 Duke's 15th turnover takes us to the under four. Fans started an "NIT" chant a few minutes ago which ... Carolina's record isn't good enough to tempt karma like that. 77-59, Heels  

 That'll do it. Carolina wins 91-73