CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– If you follow your eyes up to the banners that swing proudly from the ceilings of Dean Dome, you’ll notice a blank space. It’s a space that serves as a reminder of the fact that the Tar Heels haven’t won a regular season title in five years, and it’s something they’re looking to change tomorrow night.
Tomorrow, the campaign for the outright title will be on the line for No.7 North Carolina as they go head-to-head with No.9 Duke for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Tar Heels clinched a portion of the chip after a 84-51 beat down of Notre Dame on Mar. 5 and are on a five-game win streak following their loss at Syracuse on Feb. 13. But they must beat Duke to claim it as their own.
Both programs are 24-6, but UNC sits one game ahead in the ACC (16-3). Securing the title would be a big deal, especially considering they had to share it with Virginia back in 2019. Since then, Florida State went on to win it in 2020, Virginia again in 2021, Duke in 2022 and Miami and the Cavaliers shared the title last season.
Head coach Hubert Davis and the squad are looking to right the ship by adding the banner to their impressive vault of titles and thus restore the glory that has historically defined the program.
While the win tomorrow is especially emotional for vets like RJ Davis and Armando Bacot the latter of who is playing in his last regular season game tomorrow, new Tar Heel Harrison Ingram is equally intent on keeping the title in the sole possession of Carolina.
“We didn’t really celebrate that Notre Dame win, but our eyes went straight to that Duke game knowing that ‘yeah we might’ve gotten a share’ but we definitely don’t want to share it,” Ingram said. “And we don’t want to share it with Duke.”
It’s safe to say that while he’s a newcomer to the rivalry, he’s already invested in the competition that comes with it. After one fiery matchup and thanks to his sister, Lauren, who is a freshman volleyball player for the Blue Devils, Ingram brings a refreshing enthusiasm to the game—and he’ll be ready to leave it all out on the floor tomorrow.
Back on Feb. 3, UNC played one of its most complete games against the Devils winning 93-84. Ingram led the team in rebounds and contributed 21 points including five shots from beyond the arc. Bacot and Davis contributed 25 and 17 points respectively while sophomore guard Seth Trimble added 10 points off
the bench.
Duke guards Jared McCain and Jeremy Roach contributed 23 and 20 points apiece and Kyle Filipowski finished with 22. UNC led the whole way and Duke ultimately lacked the intensity to control the game, but this is not the same team that the Tar Heels faced a month ago.
“Roach[Jeremy] is having another terrific season and McCain can handle the ball extremely well,” Coach Davis said when asked how Duke has improved. “They’re really good defenders and they can also get to the offensive glass and so they’re playing at a high level. But I feel like our guards are too so it’ll be a good match up.”
Admittedly, however, playing a game in Cameron is not like any other college environment. The organized chaos that permeates the walls is unmatched and sometimes, it’s hard to block out the Crazies.
The Tar Heels are 7-2 on the road in conference play this year and have allowed just 64 points, holding home teams to 37.8 percent shooting from the field and 25.3 percent from the three-point line.
But improved guard play from the Devils will be a telling factor tomorrow night. Notably, they’ll be without freshman guard Caleb Foster who’s out with a lower-body injury. Foster was averaging 7.7 points and 25 minutes per game.
If everyone can play their role and overcome tomorrow’s craziness, it won’t just be a question of the ACC title winner, instead they’ll be rewarded with the top seed in Washington, D.C. on March 14th.
If things don’t go in their favor, the lowest they’d fall would be the second seed opening play at 7 p.m. on Thursday rather than noon.
Can they handle business again tomorrow?