04/01/2022
A Courtship of Rivals
Sponsored by: From the Thicket
https://fromthethicket.ca/
Marc Gouin: Sportscaster/Writer
North Carolina and Duke are set for their NCAA Final Four matchup, in what may be the most anticipated college basketball game ever. This game carries a boatload of narratives to go along with its incredibly rich history.
The coaching matchup is on of the more glaring notes. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, one of the most accomplished coaches of all time, is set to retire at the end of the season. Hubert Davis is in his first year with North Carolina after taking over for the legendary Roy Williams. Will Coach K ride off into the sunset on another title run, or will the Tar Heels send him packing as a key chapter in their own Cinderella story?
Both teams are stacked with excellent lineups as well. The Blue Devils are led by their versatile star forward (and likely top draft pick) Paolo Banchero, along with rock-solid center Mark Williams, and top tier scorer AJ Griffin. North Carolina is headlined by prized big man Armando Bacot, marksman Brady Manek, and their quick, shifty guard Caleb Love.
Yankees/Red Sox…Lakers/Celtics…Leafs/Habs… Make no mistake about it. North Carolina vs Duke is the greatest rivalry in sports.
Duke and UNC have 11 NCAA Championships between them and have been in the same tournament field 36 times. Yet, this is the first time they will face off in the Final Four. UNC has the advantage in their 257 total games against each other (142-115), but this upcoming tilt carries much higher stakes. As the winner will play for the 2022 National Championship.
This all-time rivalry will come to a head in a Saturday night primetime showdown. Tip off is at 9.
Also…
GO TAR HEELS!