The Dagger: North Carolina vs. Duke – Round 257

Is there a better rivalry than Duke-North Carolina? 

I mean, ask yourself. Legitimately. Is there one? And don’t limit yourself to the college basketball world. 

Ole Miss-LSU? Real Madrid-Barcelona? 

Who knows? One thing’s for certain: If you don’t know about it, you better get in on it. 

This historic rivalry that began on Jan. 24, 1920 will add a new wrinkle to its timeline. For the first time tomorrow, the Blue Devils and Tar Heels will meet in the NCAA Tournament. And, of course, under the most dramatic circumstances: in the Final Four. 

The two teams split their regular season matchup, winning their respective games on the road. UNC won the most recent matchup, SMACKING Duke 94-81 AT Cameron Indoor ON the night of Duke’s longtime head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last home game. 

You want to talk about DISRESPECTFUL?  I love it. Every millisecond of it. 

Can you imagine what UNC head coach Hubert Davis’ pregame speech was? 

Maybe something to the effect of.. 

“Listen guys, we love Coach K. The whole world loves Coach K. He will be missed. 

But y’all know who we’re playing tonight. Y’all  know how we feel about THEM and how they feel about US. Tribute or no tribute. Last home game or first home game. I don’t give a damn. Go out there and get the job done.” 

Those were his words verbatim…in my mind.

Whatever he told them, he needs to repeat the same speech because they played amazingly and have been doing so ever since that game. They are 6-1. 

Did anyone see UNC – an eight-seed in the tournament – getting this far? OK maybe a nice-sized contingent of people because UNC is a blue blood program so it’s not much of a surprise or some bold prediction. 

Still, it’s a bit of a shocker considering some of their ugly losses this season. The Dukies gave them a 20-point drubbing at UNC. What about the 98-69 beatdown from Kentucky? Or the 85-57 whipping from Miami? 

They had a couple more of those which probably doesn’t give bettors a lot of faith in them. 

Don’t matter now though. The Tar Heels got hot when it matters most. And all you need is a six-game winning streak to win the tournament (see the 2011 UCONN men’s basketball team. LONG LIVE KEMBA WALKER!) 

We’ll see which North Carolina team comes to play. We KNOW Duke is going to be ready judging by Coach K’s wrath at his team after the loss to UNC. He couldn’t really focus on the special night wholeheartedly. 

So, the Blue Devils are playing with some get back and are on a mission to send off the beloved legend with a storybook ending: a win over UNC in his first-ever NCAA matchup against them and a national championship.

I’m rooting for both sides but a smidge more for the team who can provide the most cold-blooded outcome. As a progeny of Kobe, nothing makes me happier in sports. 

There’s only one team in this situation that can elevate me to that euphoria. 

Sorry, Coach K. Love you, though.