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<b>SteemSports Presenter: @scottybuckets</b>
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<b>SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0</b>
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The biggest rival in the history of college basketball had another round tonight when the 9th ranked Duke Blue Devils faced the 21st ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. The game took place at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels were slight 1.5 point favorites and the over/under was the highest on the board today at 167.5.

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Both teams came into tonight chasing the 2nd ranked and 12-0 ACC leading Virginia Cavaliers. It is a far cry that DUKE or UNC could catch Virginia but they both had hopes before tonight’s game. The home team Tar Heels escaped with the 4 point win.

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It has been a good but frustrating year for Coach K’s Blue Devils. They were supposed to be lucky enough to have the player of the year in senior guard Grayson Allen but it has been a disaster. Allen is averaging his lowest point total since his freshman year and looks disinterested and unmotivated on the floor. But luckily for Duke, Marvin Bagley III is playing dynamite and his 21.4 points per game is leading the team. Gary Trent Jr. is also having a fantastic year and the duo are the main reason that the Dukies are hanging around the top 10.

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The North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams has had his most challenging year in a long time. Star shooting guard Joel Berry II is having his worst shooting season since he was a ripe old freshman. He has had a difficult time connecting from outside and it has been very concerning. But let’s be honest….this is one of the least talented Tar Heel teams of the last 20 years. Yes, they will be dancing in March, but National Championship hopes are not realistic this season.

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Tonight, North Carolina won the game on the boards. The 82-78 win was largely due to the offensive rebounding success of their big men. They had 20 offensive rebounds that played the huge role in the victory and that will be a big key as tournament seeding is right around the corner.

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Both teams are on the road next. Duke plays at Georgia Tech and North Carolina has a tough test at their inter state rival North Carolina State Wolf Pack.

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Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @scottybuckets

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