No. 2 Duke vs. North Carolina: Preview, how to watch the Tobacco Road Rivalry
📰 History of Duke vs. UNC
Every time Duke and North Carolina face off, the energy is electric, and history is written on the court. With just eight miles separating the two schools on Tobacco Road, their rivalry has become one of the most enduring in college basketball. They’ve claimed 77% of ACC regular-season titles and a major share of national championships since 1977.
It all started in January 1920 at "The Ark," Duke’s former home, where UNC took 17 of the first 19 matchups. UNC is ranked No. 3 on the all-time wins list, with Duke close behind at No. 4. Between them, they’ve combined for 38 Final Fours and 11 national championships. The two programs even met in the 2022 Final Four in New Orleans, marking their first-ever NCAA tournament matchup. In an unforgettable game, UNC took down Duke, denying Coach K a fairytale ending in his final season.
Duke is currently ranked 2nd, with only two losses on the season and undefeated in ACC, heading into Saturday’s game with momentum. UNC, which hasn’t been consistent recently, will be looking for a key win to add to its NCAA tournament resume, so it’ll be a must-watch game.
⚔️ Check out the last 12 meetings | UNC owns match-up rivalry
Duke and North Carolina’s rivalry is more than just a game—it’s a living, breathing storyline that keeps fans coming back for more. In the last 12 matchups, UNC has held a slim 7-5 edge, but each encounter feels like an epic. Overall, the Tar Heels lead the series 145–117, but there’s always something new on the line when these two clash.
- Biggest Wins: UNC’s 53-point blowout (1921) and Duke’s 35-point rout (1964).
- Longest Streak: UNC’s 16-game domination from 1921 to 1928.
- Current Trend: The Tar Heels have won the last two meetings.
Here's a complete look at the last 12 meetings between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils:
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
WINNER
|
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar-19 | Spectrum Center (Charlotte) | No. 5 Duke | 74- 73 |
| 8-Feb-20 | Dean Smith Center | No. 7 Duke | 98-96 (OT) |
| 7-Mar-20 | Cameron Indoor Stadium | No. 12 Duke | 89-76 |
| 6-Feb-21 | Cameron Indoor Stadium | North Carolina | 91-87 |
| 6-Mar-21 | Dean Smith Center | North Carolina | 91-73 |
| 5-Feb-22 | Dean Smith Center | No. 9 Duke | 87-67 |
| 5-Mar-22 | Cameron Indoor Stadium | North Carolina | 94-81 |
| 2-Apr-22 | Superdome (New Orleans) | North Carolina | 81-77 |
| 4-Feb-23 | Cameron Indoor Stadium | Duke | 63-57 |
| 4-Mar-23 | Dean Smith Center | Duke | 62-57 |
| 3-Feb-24 | Dean Smith Center | No. 3 North Carolina | 93-84 |
| 9-Mar-24 | Cameron Indoor Stadium | No. 7 North Carolina | 84-79 |
🍿 How to watch No. 2 Duke take on North Carolina
It’s a rivalry that runs 105 years deep and is pure cinema. Despite nearly 300 meetings between the two schools, Duke and UNC's twice-annual battles remain the biggest events of college basketball's regular-season calendar. Here's everything you need to know to watch the Blue Devils and Tar Heels face off on Saturday night:
- ⏰ Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. ET
- 🗓️ Date: Saturday, Feb. 1
- 📺 TV channel: ESPN
- 📍 Location: Durham, North Carolina | Cameron Indoor Stadium
- 📈 Live stats here