Duke & UNC Set For First NCAA Tourney Clash

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team during the second half of their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Durham, North...

Despite their rich history and bitter rivalry, next weekend will mark the first time that the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels have met in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tar Heels (28-9) and Blue Devils (32-6) are set to battle in a Final Four showdown Saturday in New Orleans with an 8:49 tip-off. The schools have met more than 250 times prior on the hardwood, but never in the tourney.

Eight-seeded UNC has averaged 77.5 points per game (11-1) since February 19.

Duke, a two seed that won the regular-season ACC title, could potentially be lacing them up for head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final game, as he announcedhe’s retiring after the season.

The Blue Devils are shooting 53.8% from the field so far in the tournament.

The schools split two regular-season games, with the road team taking both contests, and have done the same over the last eight matchups. North Carolina leads 141-115 all-time, though.

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