The rivalry between UNC and Duke isn’t just a basketball event- it’s a cultural phenomenon. From buzzer-beaters to Final Four showdowns, the history is long with the two teams. For years, the Tar Heels have dominated the matchup, but this time? The ball is in Jon Scheyer’s court. With all of the star power that he has and the momentum that the team has built, it will be a game to remember on Saturday.

Even though Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels have really come together over the last few games, Duke’s frontcourt is an absolute game-changer. Cooper Flagg is a generational prospect, and he’s bleeding blue for the Devils. Intimidating posters, high IQ assists, and lockdown defense are synonymous with his name. And with how well he’s been playing, analysts have started comparing him to the legends of the league.

On ESPN’s show Get Up with Dan Graziano, national broadcaster Seth Greenberg issued a groundbreaking comparison for Flagg. “He’s got a little Jayson Tatum in his game, he’s got a little Grant Hill in his game, and he’s got a little Scottie Pippen in his game.” Greenberg said, comparing the superstar with a Bulls legend. “You’re talking about a six-foot-nine inch guy you can run your offense through.”

The Chicago Bulls are best known for Michael Jordan and his six championships, and Scottie Pippen played a huge role in their success. Even though Jordan was the better player, Pippen resembles what Cooper Flagg might end up being. The six-foot-seven wing brought the ball up for the Bulls, and innovated the ‘point-forward’ position.

Similarly, Cooper Flagg’s dominance lies in his ability to stuff the stat sheet! He’s currently leading the Blue Devils in just about every major statistical category. There’s no doubt that he’s an NBA-ready player, but the competition won’t be easy going forward. Hubert Davis is coming at them strong, and it will be a fight for either team to come out on top.

RJ Davis is UNC’s best chance at victory? How will UNC stop Cooper Flagg?

With the season drawing to a close, there’s a lot on the line for both UNC and Duke. The Blue Devils will look to assert their dominance before the ACC tournament, while it’s a matter of seeding for Hubert Davis. Both teams have star players, and both teams have a lot of momentum coming into this game.

On The Field of 68: After Dark, analyst John Fanta had a lot to say about the prideful matchup between the two schools. He mentioned that the best chance that UNC has is to keep Duke at the perimeter. If they manage to stop Cooper Flagg from penetrating and making plays, they might have a shot! UNC need to hound the defensive boards, and they need to put in some hustle.

On top of that, senior guard RJ Davis plays a huge role in how the matchup will turn out. The six-foot guard is currently averaging over 17 points per game, but Fanta needs more from him. “You’re going to have hit at least 12 threes in this game and you need RJ Davis to play like a first-team All-American.” The analyst said about him. He has the experience, he just needs to use it.

On the flip side, Duke is very well-situated heading into this game. Cooper Flagg is showing glimpses of greatness, but it all comes down to this last stretch in March for him. If the six-foot-nine forward wants to live up to the legendary comparisons, he will have to prove his mettle. Duke and UNC will clash on Saturday, March 8th for one last regular season battle, and it will be a doozy!