The Duke vs UNC rivalry has been watered down for a while. Friendships developed on the prep circuit have taken away what always seemed like a slight personal beef between the Tobacco Road rivals. Players are actually cool with each other and it showed on the court…until Saturday. The Tar Heels spoiled Coach K’s historic last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, defeating the Blue Devils 94-81.
Heading into the contest there was already back and forth on social media between Duke big-man Theo John and Tar Heel guard Caleb Love.
Love posted a picture after last year’s win over Duke with the now deleted caption “Everybody savage until they get face to face with one.”
After the Blue Devils’ 87-67 win over UNC in February, Theo John posted a picture of him and Caleb with the same quote.
Love commented on the post, “You’re a savage huh?” (which has since been deleted), to which John replied “Find out.”
Spicy.
These two clearly aren’t friends and it brought an edge to the game the moment John stepped onto the floor. Theo blocked shot with an emphatic, almost taunting yell, but also had a flagrant foul called against him when he and Love were both going to rebound a missed shot.
Love, who struggled in the first half, shooting 1-9 from the floor, was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line in the 2nd half – helping lift the Heels to their double digit victory. After the win Love had a few words for the Crazies.
But that wasn’t the only example that this rivalry is returning to its old form….
Duke assistant coach Chris Carrawell refused to shake UNC head coach Hubert Davis’ hand after the loss and Nolan Smith looked away while begrudgingly giving him a hand shake.
Carrawell told CL Brown of the News and Observer that the shun was in response to Davis not shaking their hands before the game, which is traditional between coaching staffs.
Is the edge officially back between Duke and UNC? It appears so, and that’s a good thing. Part of what makes this rivalry one of the best in sports, outside of its competitiveness, is the dislike between fans and muted beef between players. I’m not saying guys should hate each other, but save the buddy buddy stuff for later. This rivalry needs the heat. It’s already there between the fans, now it’s time to bring it back to the court.