All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Duke Head Coach Praises Hubert Davis Ahead of Showdown

Despite their contrasting shades of blue, the Duke and UNC basketball head coaches share much in common and have a mutual respect.

Matt Giles

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UNC basketball hosts the No. 7 Blue Devils (16-4, 7-2 ACC) at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN). The No. 3 Tar Heels (17-4, 9-1 ACC) hope to pad their conference lead and tie Duke in head-to-head record since Hubert Davis (2-3 versus the fellow Tobacco Road blueblood) assumed the reins in Chapel Hill three years ago.

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During Thursday's presser eight miles away in Durham, All Tar Heels on SI.com asked second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer (2-0 versus UNC) for his thoughts on his rival counterpart as the Blue Devils prepare for the first of two regular season meetings with the Tar Heels.

While Scheyer noted (in the video above) that it's far too early for anyone to cast votes on ACC Coach of the Year, he explained that Hubert Davis' body of work this season is tough to beat at this juncture.

Here's everything the former Blue Devil guard (2006-10) and assistant said about the former Tar Heel guard (1988-92) and assistant:

"One, I'll just tell you about Hubert: I think he's done a great job. And we probably have a lot of empathy for each other, taking over two programs that are as good as any program in the country.

"And with that comes a lot of exciting things, right? You get to coach great players, and you have people that care about your program and the success of it.

"It also comes with a lot of scrutiny. And I think he's done just a great job coaching his guys, focusing on what matters, and he's got his team rolling. He's got his team playing really well.

"I don't think they give out coach of the year awards or player of the year awards halfway through. You know, but for him, you can't say he hasn't done as good of a job as anybody. He's done a terrific job.

"And I have a ton of respect for him, who he is as a coach and also who he is as a person. He's a good dude. And it's a lot of mutual respect and honor to play against him and coach against him."

Hubert Davis Comments on UNC Fumbling Big Lead in Atlanta

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com 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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