GAME THREAD: North Carolina vs. Duke 3/3/12

[OFFNY]

c
The last time these two teams played in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels lacked the killer instinct and were promptly knocked on their asses by a late Duke comeback. A thrilling, game-winning 3-point shot at the buzzer by Austin Rivers sent the Blue Devils on the 8-mile bus ride home on a winning note.

This one is for the regular-season ACC title, and a strong push for a number one seed in the NCAA tournament for the winner.

NORTH CAROLINA (26-4, #6)

vs.

BLUE DEVILSOOOOoo..(26-4, #3)

[Sports Guy]

Duke getting a ton of open shots..they are freezing cold. UNC could blow them out.

[OrangeJerseys]

Doooooook.

[beaner]

The definition of awesomeness.

[ccbird]

Granted, matchups are everything in the tourny so you never say never but I will not have Duke past the 1st weekend and depending on who they could match up with I might pick them to lose in Round 2. They just are not good defensively and too streaky offensively.

[beaner]

Granted, matchups are everything in the tourny so you never say never but I will not have Duke past the 1st weekend and depending on who they could match up with I might pick them to lose in Round 2. They just are not good defensively and too streaky offensively.

I feel the same way about them, though I can't help but go back to the first game in Chapel Hill, when they outscored Carolina 42-3 from three point range. Those guards are streaky, but when they're good, they're REAL good.

[Sports Guy]

Granted, matchups are everything in the tourny so you never say never but I will not have Duke past the 1st weekend and depending on who they could match up with I might pick them to lose in Round 2. They just are not good defensively and too streaky offensively.

Stop trolling this thread. You aren't a Duke or UNC fan, so therefore you can't have an opinion about them.

[Sports Guy]

I feel the same way about them, though I can't help but go back to the first game in Chapel Hill, when they outscored Carolina 42-3 from three point range. Those guards are streaky, but when they're good, they're REAL good.

Yep...It will be all about the matchups for them.

Last night was just a disaster in the first 10 minutes.

It wasn't even UNC's defense...Duke was missing wide open shots. They went 2 for their first 15 and missed their first 7 3s. If they just go 6-15 and 2 of them are 3s, the game doesn't get out of hand early.

Kelly really hurt Duke last night. He seemed to be the guy that UNC said, go ahead and shoot...if you beat us, so be it. He missed a ton of wide open, uncontested shots.

Hell, if Curry hits that wide open 3 with 5 min left, the game is at 8...even after that, Rivers go to the FT line and could have cut it to 9, missed the first one and it seems like that took the wind out of their sails after those 2 things happened.

UNC is a great team though. Barnes is ridiculous and is the toughest matchup in the country. If UNC loses another game this year, they will be losing to an inferior team and yes, that includes Kentucky.

UNC has 5 first round picks and I think there is a chance Hairston could end up another first rounder as well.

They got lucky in that they had guys come back to school instead of going pro and when that happens and you then add more talented freshman, you are going to be a stacked team. If Rivers and Mason Plumlee come back next year, Duke will be in this same position. If Kyrie had come back, Duke would be there now. Oh well, it happens.

[beaner]

Good post, Rob.

The last few games, Marshall has taken more of a scorers mentality, which makes them even more dangerous down the stretch. They're playing their best ball of the year, and obviously this is the most important time.

I still think Syracuse is just as good as Kentucky & Carolina, and this tourney should be a classic.

Imagine if Kyrie would have come back, good god. He's terrific in the league, though I'm not sure if he's really a point guard.

[Frobby]

Yep...It will be all about the matchups for them.

Last night was just a disaster in the first 10 minutes.

It wasn't even UNC's defense...Duke was missing wide open shots. They went 2 for their first 15 and missed their first 7 3s. If they just go 6-15 and 2 of them are 3s, the game doesn't get out of hand early.

Kelly really hurt Duke last night. He seemed to be the guy that UNC said, go ahead and shoot...if you beat us, so be it. He missed a ton of wide open, uncontested shots.

Hell, if Curry hits that wide open 3 with 5 min left, the game is at 8...even after that, Rivers go to the FT line and could have cut it to 9, missed the first one and it seems like that took the wind out of their sails after those 2 things happened.

UNC is a great team though. Barnes is ridiculous and is the toughest matchup in the country. If UNC loses another game this year, they will be losing to an inferior team and yes, that includes Kentucky.

As I've said all along, Duke can't beat a really good team on a day when it is cold from outside. They were 14 for 36 in Chapel Hill beyond the arc and that was enough to catch the Tar Heels napping in the last few minutes. They were 6 for 21 in this game, and that just won't get it done. That said, I was glad to see Duke didn't just mail in the second half of this game. It could be interesting if they play a 3rd time next weekend, because with the injuries the Heels have had, Duke is a bit deeper and may have a little more energy playing for a 3rd consecutive day. We will see. There's no doubt at all that Carolina is the better team this year.