The No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels emerged victorious against the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils in a fierce rivalry showdown that lived up to the hype. Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram, the dynamic duo, showcased their skills with remarkable double-doubles, propelling UNC to a 93-84 triumph that will be etched in the annals of this storied rivalry.
Bacot, the towering 6-foot-11 force, dominated the court with a dazzling display of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, the versatile 6-foot-7 Ingram wreaked havoc, contributing 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals, proving that North Carolina's offseason overhaul has turned them into a formidable force.
The Tar Heels' revamped rotation was on full display, and the depth of their squad was evident throughout the night. With an impressive 18-4 record and a commanding 10-1 standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, UNC has risen to the top of the league standings.
Despite facing relentless defensive attention, ACC scoring leader RJ Davis showcased his resilience by finishing the night with 17 points, helping UNC maintain control. The Tar Heels played with an unmatched tenacity, fueled by a roaring crowd that elevated the intensity to ear-ringing levels.
Ingram, in particular, stole the spotlight with a performance that left spectators in awe. His sharpshooting prowess, demonstrated by making 5 of 9 3-pointers, including a clutch shot with Jeremy Roach in close pursuit, highlighted his offensive brilliance. Ingram's hustle was on full display with a crucial dive-on-the-floor play in the paint, saving a possession and setting up another pivotal 3-pointer.
The Tar Heels led 45-35 at halftime, setting the tone for a night of relentless intensity. Duke, facing an uphill climb in the first ranked matchup between these fierce rivals since the 2018-19 season, never managed to close the gap to less than eight points in the second half.
Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski tried to ignite a comeback for the Blue Devils, with McCain posting an impressive 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Filipowski adding 22 points. However, UNC's tenacious defense and timely scoring proved insurmountable.
Duke, arriving with momentum from three consecutive wins and a stellar 7-1 record in January, found themselves unable to overcome the Tar Heels' relentless onslaught. Despite shooting over 50% from the field, Duke's 11 turnovers proved costly, with the Tar Heels capitalizing on the mistakes to secure the victory.
After a hiccup against Georgia Tech earlier in the week, UNC's triumphant performance against Duke reaffirms their status as a force to be reckoned with. This thrilling victory sets the stage for a memorable season for the Tar Heels, as they continue to dominate the ACC and aim for greatness on the national stage.