Duke vs. North Carolina score: Tar Heels squander big opportunity as Blue Devils cap regular-season sweep

Neither group was ranked within the AP Prime 25 for the 260th all-time assembly between Duke and North Carolina on Saturday, however the recreation was yet one more epic thriller regardless because the Blue Devils escaped with an 62-57 win to finish a regular-season sweep of their arch rival. Kyle Filipowski led the best way with 22 factors and 13 rebounds as Duke gained its sixth straight recreation getting into the postseason. 

North Carolina (19-12, 11-9 ACC) desperately wanted a victory to solidify its NCAA Match resume getting into subsequent week’s ACC Match. The Tar Heels rallied from a 43-36 deficit with a 13-2 run to take a 49-45 lead following a Pete Nance 3-pointer with 8:32 remaining however could not dangle on from there.

Filipowski hit a clutch 3-pointer with 6:37 remaining to return the result in Duke (23-8, 14-6) after which put the Blue Devils forward once more with 1:38 remaining by hitting a pair of free throws. The Tar Heels had an opportunity to tie it with below 10 seconds to play, however Caleb Love’s contested 3-pointer missed, and Filipowski put the ending touches on the win with a bucket on the opposite finish.

When Duke gained the primary assembly 63-57 on Feb. 4 it tried 15 free throws whereas North Carolina tried solely three. The story was completely different this time because the Tar Heels made 18 of 21 makes an attempt from the road in comparison with 14 of 18 for Duke, however the Tar Heels couldn’t overcome a 30.4% taking pictures share and a 30-16 deficit in paint factors.

A standard situation

North Carolina entered taking pictures simply 31.2% from 3-point vary, which ranked 330th nationally. In convention video games, the Tar Heels ranked final within the ACC at 30.7% from past the arc. It was extra of the identical towards Duke as UNC made simply 5 of 23 makes an attempt from past the arc, together with 3 of 14 within the second half. Except for RJ Davis, who was 3 of 5, the remainder of the group mixed to shoot 2 of 18 from 3-point vary.

Senior middle Armando Bacot was nice with 17 factors and 11 rebounds on the inside. However with out a lot firepower from the skin, UNC’s offense wilted when it could not play in transition. Caleb Love’s 3-of-12 taking pictures efficiency stood out as one other inefficient outing. Typically a hero throughout final season’s Remaining 4 run, the junior guard has been too inconsistent for the Tar Heels to depend upon this season.

UNC’s match hopes

North Carolina doubtless must make a run within the ACC Match as a way to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Match, in accordance with CBS Sports activities Bracketology Knowledgeable Jerry Palm. The Tar Heels entered the day as one of many “First 4 Out” of Palm’s projected subject and did themselves no favors by failing to select up what would have been simply their second Quad 1 win of the season.

This group is simply 4-6 over its final 10 video games since standing at 15-6 (7-3) following a win at Syracuse on Jan. 24. UNC’s victories since then are towards Clemson, Notre Dame, Virginia and Florida State. Of these 4, solely Virginia ranks inside the highest 60 of the NET — and the Cavaliers are simply thirtieth.

Although an 11-9 league file would typically be ok for an at-large bid, UNC fumbled its possibilities with a lackluster nonconference efficiency. The Tar Heels misplaced 4 straight video games in late November and early December to the likes of Iowa State, Alabama, Indiana and Virginia Tech. That dropping streak, mixed with a stretch of 5 losses in six video games to start February, has this group in desperation mode after returning 4 starters from a Remaining 4 squad.

Duke’s growth

Duke entered the day projected as only a No. 6 seed for the NCAA Match, in accordance with Palm. However the Blue Devils can be a menacing matchup for groups within the postseason as they proceed to exhibit progress with a brand new solid of key characters.

Although Filipowski stood out together with his 14th double-double, different freshmen continued stepping up as properly. Tyrese Proctor scored 13 factors on 4-of-10 taking pictures and completed with three assists towards just one turnover. Mark Mitchell additionally supplied 10 factors, together with a 3-pointer within the first half that put Duke forward 18-14.

When these groups met for the primary time this season, junior guard Jeremy Roach led the best way with 20 factors because the Blue Devils’ lone veteran returner from final season’s squad. Because the weeks have passed by, Duke’s younger nucleus has continued to develop. Thus, even on a 4-of-16 taking pictures evening for Roach on Saturday, Duke nonetheless managed to drag out a victory on the street towards its greatest rival.