Tar Heels Ready for Rivalry Renewal as Duke Comes to Chapel Hill
CHAPEL HILL - It’s been 700 days since North Carolina last got the better of Duke. That’s two full trips around the sun without a win in college basketball’s most storied rivalry. But on Saturday, the Tar Heels get another shot - and they’ll take it on their home floor.
No. 14 UNC hosts No.
4 Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center for the first of two regular-season matchups, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.
And while the stakes are always high when these two blue bloods meet, this one carries a little extra weight - especially for a UNC team that’s still learning what this rivalry really means.
Of the 16 players on North Carolina’s roster, 10 have never played in a UNC-Duke game. That’s a staggering number, considering how central this matchup is to the program’s identity. But veteran guard Seth Trimble has been in the fire before, and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure his younger teammates are ready for what’s coming.
“I think it’s a huge part that I’m here and I’m able to share that knowledge,” Trimble said. “I think it’ll go a long way.”
One of the players soaking up that wisdom is freshman standout Caleb Wilson. He’s already made waves on the court this season, but Saturday night will be his first taste of the rivalry from inside the lines. He was in the building back in 2024 - the last time UNC beat Duke in Chapel Hill - and that experience left a mark.
“It was just exhilarating, honestly,” Wilson said. “Me being a basketball fan and player, seeing that atmosphere was really attractive for me.”
Now, Wilson’s not just watching it - he’s a central figure in it. And standing across from him will be a familiar face: Duke freshman Cameron Boozer.
The two were teammates in high school, winning an AAU national championship together. They’ve stayed in touch over the years, but this week, the phones have gone quiet.
“He’s a great player, honestly,” Wilson said of Boozer. “He just plays smart.
He’s a really cerebral guy. He’s not gonna be rushed or anything like that.
He just plays basketball in a very mature way.”
That maturity has been on full display this season. Boozer has been the engine behind Duke’s 21-1 start, including a perfect 11-0 mark in ACC play.
He leads the Blue Devils in just about every major category - points (23.3), rebounds (9.9), assists (4), and steals (1.9). And he’s doing it all with a calm, composed approach that belies his age.
But UNC isn’t looking to play Duke’s game. The Tar Heels want to dictate the pace - and that means running.
While the Blue Devils average just over 70 possessions per game (221st nationally), UNC thrives in transition. They want to turn every rebound, every turnover into a fast-break opportunity.
That contrast in styles could be the deciding factor.
“We know, especially in games like this, there aren’t a lot of teams in college basketball that can keep up with our pace,” Trimble said. “We’re gonna use it to our advantage and take control of the transition game. If we can control that and do what we need to do, we can put ourselves in a good position.”
Of course, all eyes will be on Chapel Hill. ESPN’s College GameDay will be in town, and the Dean Dome will be rocking.
But UNC head coach Hubert Davis is keeping his team grounded. His message?
Stick to what you know.
“The main thing that I’ve tried to communicate to the guys is our preparation, our process, the way that we practice and the way that we play is no different,” Davis said. “The only difference is that the circus is coming to town. Other than that, this is another opportunity for us to grow as a team.”
That growth will be tested in front of a national audience, against a rival that hasn’t lost in the conference and hasn’t lost in this rivalry in nearly two years. But for a young UNC squad hungry to make its mark - and for a veteran like Trimble who knows what it means - this is more than just another game.
This is Duke vs. Carolina. And for the Tar Heels, the countdown to redemption ends Saturday night.