GREENSBORO -- Duke and North Carolina in an ACC championship game.
Makes all the sense in the basketball world, right?
It hasn’t turned out that way since 2001, when Duke won 79-53 in Atlanta.
But this season and at this ACC Tournament, there really wasn’t another logical way to see the four-day event ending.
Other than the top-seeded Tar Heels (26-6) and second-seeded Blue Devils (29-4), the rest of the conference was so far off the traditional ACC pace that the 10 others were the longest of shots to reach Sunday’s 1 p.m. finale in Greensboro Coliseum.
Carolina made it plenty interesting by winning on the last shot against Miami in Friday’s quarterfinals and escaping in overtime on Saturday against Clemson in the semifinals.
Duke was rarely troubled in wins over Maryland and Virginia Tech.
A hand-painted sign hoisted by a Carolina fan in the upper deck late Saturday summed it well, though.
“HEELS-DOOK -- WHAT WE CAME TO SEE!!!”
After swapping home-court wins in regular season, the famous rivals will bring a slightly different personality into the championship game.
Carolina of late has been led by freshman forward Harrison Barnes while Duke is beginning get new lift from senior Kyle Singler, who led the win over Maryland after Nolan Smith suffered a toe injury Friday.
Smith returned Saturday with 27 points to step on Virginia Tech in the second half of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Four quick things to watch Saturday:
• Singler vs. Barnes: Duke will give Singler some help on the wing by slacking off Dexter Strickland. But Barnes suddenly is the hottest 3-point shooter around, as his 40 points against Clemson established without doubt.
• Foul trouble: Carolina bigs John Henson and Tyler Zeller continue to show an uncanny knack for avoiding foul trouble and give the Heels an imposing board presence in the process.
The Devils need to drive the lane enough to at least make Zeller and Henson take a few chances.
• Smith’s left foot: The senior guard looked fine against the Hokies, but Duke’s staff is still concerned that the pain could increase after playing 39 minutes. If Smith needs a lot of rest, Carolina should have a significant perimeter edge.
• UNC offense early: The Heels fell far behind Miami and Clemson and still won. Duke is far less likely to be a late-rally victim.
My guess: Duke 82-80 in overtime. That’s the score I picked Tuesday, so it’s too late to change now.
Columnist
Comments
duke over unc
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 11:09 — JPDOhioThat's my prediction, and I hate making it. Duke is playing well and UNC has been unremarkable, except for Barnes. Duke will defend Barnes better than anyone did in the first two games and that will be the difference.
Seems to be the popular pick
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 11:16 — gvillegatrT minus 1hr 45 mins. Let's not forget HB locking down the breath caught Singler in both games already this season. He's the piece of the puzzle to DUIke winning this game. Z and Henson will get back to their old ways bc of how weak DUIke is down low.
g-alligator-aka redpussy!!!!!!
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 17:37 — bluecat69bluecat69redpussy has once again exposed how dumb he is when it comes to bb with this ignorant comment about how weak duke is down low, i dont see any weakness in a 16 pt. blowout!!go duke-champs!!!!!!!!!!1
Carolina Duke
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 00:59 — Z33221Will the real Tar Heels show up Sunday or just the shadow team who showed up for the first 32 minutes against Miami and then 37 minutes against Clemson?? That is the question. If the real team shows up there is a chance for a number one seed and the ACC tournament champtionship.
Best of luck to both teams.
Z
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 09:36 — gvillegatrI claimed a ONE SEED was possible 2+ weeks ago and I was slammed for it by everybody's 2nd fav poster, Mamby as well as a few others.
The winner today has a ONE SEED. Winner Take All ...
g-alligator-aka redpussy!!!!!!
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 17:39 — bluecat69bluecat69keep it coming, at this point u have NOcreditability!!!! go duke-champs
Once again its on....
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 22:37 — cedrocUNC has outplayed Duke in 3 of 4 halves, but each team has 1 win. I like Coach K's ability to motivate Duke in situations like this. This is a classic setup game for UNC where they may think they have Duke's number and may think they will play better because it's their hated rival, but in reality, Duke has more to prove and a shot a redeeming themselves for not showing up last Sat night. You have to think Singler is due for a big game and Barnes isn't going to shoot 6 for 8 from distance and drop 40 back to back days. Nolan Smith / Seth Curry ate UNC's lunch last Sat and if the rest of Duke would have showed up it would have been a better game. Be that as it may, K's bringin Kelly off the bench and it's worked well 2 games in a row...excellent move. Hope the refs don't mess it up by calling silly touch fouls. Lettem play refs!!!! Go Duke.
Umm
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 23:26 — gvillegatrDingler isn't due anymore; he dropped 27 or something close to it on Maryland.
Why can't Barnes drop another 40 pts tomorrow ? Bc you say so ?
"Let 'em play refs" ... Don't worry. The refs always let the Dookies play ... :)
g-alligator-aka redpussy!!!!!!
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 17:46 — bluecat69bluecat69there u go with that "refs" comment --another reason u have zero creditability on this site,, every one knows what a crybaby u are when it comes to the "refs" whene your team gets beat , it is always the "refs" man up and admitt your sorry -ass team is not really that good. go duke-champs!!!!!!!!!!!
crying
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 23:42 — saltydawg1the game hasn't even started yet, but your dayum crying has!!!
Yes
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 09:33 — gvillegatrBc no one but me can see the smiley face at the end.
The team you root for is going down. Johnny's gonna put em in a body bag !!
GO HEELS !!
g-alligator-aka redpussy!!!!!!
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 17:49 — bluecat69bluecat69how is that smiley- face working out for u today???? oh! i know it was the "REFS"--GO DUKE-CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my prediction
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 21:52 — saltydawg1i expect the rat to out-coach the beaver!!
If Carolina spots Duke a big
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 20:36 — unc098If Carolina spots Duke a big lead in the first half, they will lose. Duke will not open the door the second half and both teams will be playing a bit winded after the past two games, esp. Carolina. I am hoping for a toe to toe game and the last shot wins it. We are all truly blessed to have such an amazing rivalry in our backyards. May the best team win.