Blue Devils (19-4) vs Tar Heels (20-3)
I am sure that the last thing Duke wanted leading into the first of two battles with North Carolina was to lose for the first time ever at home against Miami.
Wednesday February 8
Dean Dome – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
9:00PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: North Carolina -7
O/U: 160.5
Duke
That now makes two in-conference Florida teams that have come into Cameron Indoor and won, forcing one to consider that the balance of bower may have shifted south from the Carolina…at least for a second.
Sunday’s loss to Miami was a setback but probably said more about the potential of the Hurricanes than anything else.
Against Miami the Blue Devils had no answer for massive Miami center Reggie Johnson. Sure they have lots of bigs in the Plumlee brothers and Ryan Kelly but they just couldn’t handle Johnson’s bulk. UNC may have a prize front line of NBA lottery picks but they don’t present the same kind of problems.
Still, how effectively the brothers can neutralize the Tar Heels up front will go a long way towards determining the outcome of this annual hoops war. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
North Carolina
Since getting embarrassed by Florida State the North Carolina Tar Heels have won 5 straight, but they have not covered in their last three as this team still seems to be playing below expectations. This is a very talented group of players but it just may not be a great team in the traditional sense of the word. Watching it play it makes you wonder if recruiting has become more about rankings than how players actually could fit and play together.
Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson all average more than 14 points per game so it is clear where the Tar Heels will go for production. In this one, the best matchup is for Barnes as the Blue Devils don’t really have someone on the perimeter with a defensive prowess and enough size to disrupt his game. There is no Battier out there for Duke.
A game like this is the perfect stage for a command performance from Barnes who has been a non factor when UNC has faced elite competition this year.
Spread Pick: Duke +7
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: North Carolina 72 – Duke 65
