ACC basketball: In Carolina we bleed blue

From the days of Michael Jordan, Phil Ford, and Raymond Felton for North Carolina; to the days of Christian Laettner, Johnny Dawkins and Grant Hill the Duke vs. North Carolina rivalry has always been packed with superstars and suspense. This year will be no different, but it looks as though Duke may have the upper hand. With veterans like Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer stepping up in a bigger leadership role, Duke looks to continue to shine. North Carolina is in a re-establishing year, but they have a good team filled with promising talent. The dominance inside is there, but it must be utilized. Deon Thompson and Ed Davis are two incredible studs that can not only score but can also rebound and block shots. Carolina is in search of a leader at the point, Larry Drew III is only in his second year at Carolina but the help could come from veteran guard Marcus Ginyard. Carolina is always dangerous but Roy Williams will most definitely earn his coaching stripes this year. The rivalry has and always will run deep in North Carolina, both schools are so close not only in statistics but even in distance.

In my opinion the ACC has always been the top basketball conference, not only do the teams battle every night but they also make one another beer. Even the “lesser” teams can beat most top teams in other conferences. When ACC play begins the basketball should be great, but no matter how you play it Carolina and Duke will always be he ones to watch.

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Stats for the Carolina vs. Duke rivalry:

The first ever meeting between the schools was on January 20, 1924, the result UNC 36 and Duke 25. The largest victory for Carolina was a 36 point blowout in 1921, for Duke a 35 point thrashing in 1964, both are like fine wine getting better with age and this rivalry is the same it just keeps getting better and better.

Carolina leads the all-time series 130-97

They have met only once in the postseason and that was in the 1971 NIT with the result Carolina coming out on top 73-67. Carolina has the current win streak at 3 games, the next time these two will meet, February 10, 2010 at 9pm, so lace up your sneakers and get ready.

By: Sam Adams
ACC Fans Staff Writer