Preview Against #9 Duke: Top 10 Matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium

 

(Photo Courtesy Grant Halverson/GettyImages) 

By JEREMIAH ARTACHO 

Chapel Hill, N.C. --- #7-ranked North Carolina will enter the Cameron Indoor Stadium this coming Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN to battle their long-standing rival, the #9 Duke Blue Devils. If UNC is able to exit Durham with a win, then they are the outright regular season champions; if not, then they would share the title with Duke. The ACC Tournament seedings are a factor as well, but everything remains to be seen. However, from here on out, it's a do-or-die situation for the Heels. 
 
North Carolina is strong off their senior night victory against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 84-51. By the time the first half concluded, it was pretty much a done deal. From the defensive intensity and all-around scoring efforts to Armando Bacot hitting two three-pointers during the second half, it could not have been any better. 
 
It seemed like a perfect night for Carolina basketball. RJ Davis was doing the usual scoring duties; Elliot Cadeau was quietly but collectively handling the basketball; Harrison Ingram was scoring in a variety of ways; and Jae'Lyn Withers had an acrobatic and a 1-point layup. 
 
This senior night for Coach Davis' team was very memorable and electric, especially for #5. 
 
The Richmond, Virginia, native has now played the most games in ACC history after this past Tuesday's contest. 
 
Bacot was visibly seen crying after the game as he answered questions. He expressed the amount of love he has for the university and even the reporters. 
 
The Tar Heels have now won five straight games, restarting what once was, similar to back in January. 
 
"I think really just the time and experience has helped him really become the coach he is. I mean, it's obviously going to be a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations. I think every step of the way he's carried himself and the team in the right manner. He's always stuck to what he's believed in, and I think that's great," Bacot said about Coach Davis' growth over the past few seasons during today's pre-Duke press conference. 

Duke
 
Duke had a triangle clash with NC State this past Tuesday at the PNC Arena. The Blue Devils ran out of Raleigh with a 79-64. Jeremy Roach had 21 points with four rebounds and two assists on nine of 17 shots. Jared McCain added in 16 points, grabbed five rebounds, and shot six of 14 from the field, including three-pointers. 
 
The bench contributions were highlighted by Sean Stewart, who has been gaining more playing time as of late. Steward contributed 12 points on five of seven shootings through his 26 minutes of game action. 
 
Jon Scheyer's team shot 47% from the field and 30% behind the arc. Duke was able to capitalize on State's mistakes, scoring 21 points off 10 turnovers. 
 
"Well, I feel the state our program is in an amazing spot, and I can say that because we have great people and great players in our program. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about. You gotta have the right people in a program, and we do," said Scheyer when asked about the state of Duke's basketball program in year two. 

On top of everything going on this will be Duke's senior night game, of course. Interesting to mention considering all of the other factors in play. 
 
There is a lot at stake during Saturday night's game; it will be a battle for the ages. 

Projected Starting Lineups 

Elliot Cadeau (FR)
RJ Davis (SR)
Cormac Ryan (SR)
Harrison Ingram (JR)
Armando Bacot (SR)

Jeremy Roach (SR)
Spencer Hubbard (SR)
Neal Begovich (SR)
Ryan Young (SR)
Kyle Filipowski (SO)

Key Matchup 

This contest holds a lot of heavily relied on matchups but one to pay attention to the most will again be Armando Bacot and Kyle Filipowski on the interior. Establishing the paint will be crucial for either team's chances of winning, as the two halves expire. 

The Projected Winner by the Numbers 

UNC is listed at 29.4%, according to the matchup predictor on ESPN Analytics.

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