collegebasketball247's Blog
  • 11:48 PM ET  02.09
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please view my blog at www.collegebasketball247.blogspot.com Fast Facts: -UNC leads the all time series 128-97 -The first meeting between the two schools was January 24th, 1920 -The only time the two have ever met in the post season was the 1971 NIT -The Enrollment of UNC is about 27,000 students and the enrollment of Duke is only about 6,000 students. -The March 4th, 2006 meeting between the two schools was the most watch college basketball game in ESPN history. -In the time period after Dean Smith retired, but before Roy Williams was hired UNC was just 4-15 against Duke. -Duke and UNC have combined to win 79% of the ACC's regular season titles and 58% of the conference tournaments. The Preview: Duke is not playing well of late, the Blue Devils where blown out by Clemson, and struggled at home against a very average Miami team (4-6 ACC). The key for Duke will with out a doubt be point guard play, in the Blue Devils losses Nolan Smith is averaging just 7 points and has an assist to turn over ratio of 0.2/1, which is just awful, Greg Paulus hasn't helped much either averaging just 2.3 points a game in the losses. Despite the fact that Nolan Smith has started 21 of 22 games this season Greg Paulus will be the one getting the start for the Blue Devils Wednesday, Paulus scored 18 points in the Duke win over Miami and was praised by Krzyzewski on his leadership. North Carolina will obviously come out and try to push the pace, seeing as they are averaging 92.3 points a game (2nd in the country behind VMI), this puts a lot of pressure on Duke to hit threes and keep pace with the Tar Heels. In the three losses Duke has shot horrible percentages from three, against Michigan the Blue Devils where 7-33 (21%), against Wake they where 4-22 (18%) and against Clemson, Duke was 3-13 (23%). If Duke can't get the out side shots to fall they will be run out of the Gym just like they where against Clemson. UNC has the advantage at point guard, the Tar Heels have never lost against Duke when Ty Lawson plays and his 3.9/1 assist to turnover ratio is simply out standing. All five Tar Heel starters average in double figures, but depth might actually be an issue for Roy Williams team. With injuries to Tyler Zeller, Marcus Ginyard (who hasn't played since Feb. 4, against Boston College, very likely to redshirt), and a suspension to reserve guard Will Graves leaves UNC with Ed Davis, Bobby Frasor and Freshman point guard Larry Drew II as their only rotation players. These three combine to average just eleven points a game. Prediction: UNC 88 Duke 79 -If UNC can get enough from their bench they have the potential to crack this game wide open, and if Duke doesn't get good outside shooting its going to be a long day for Duke fans. Video: view at www.collegebasketball247.blogspot.com
 
February 10, 2009  02:23 PM ET

Key for Tarheel victory is Hansbrough inside. Can he go off in the paint to put Duke's Post people in trouble? Yes.

Duke is having perimeter shooting troubles too that do not help them when they get behind.

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