It was a rivalry born in 1920. The first game between Duke and North Carolina ended with the Tar Heels defeating the Blue Devils 38-25. Since then, both teams have carved out their spots in college basketball history, with UNC leading the all-time series 145-118. With 11 national championships and 38 Final Four appearances combined, the rivalry between these two programs has been one of the greatest in all of sports. But this year, the script is starting to flip in a way that has left many on the edge of their seat. While the Tar Heels find themselves with their backs against the wall. Duke, on the other hand, is the new team to beat. Upon the commitment of freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, Duke has been a juggernaut. With the magic of March Madness nearly upon us, this will be their final meeting before the tournament begins. Both sides are preparing to leave everything out on the court to establish momentum heading into postseason play.

Saturday’s matchup between UNC (20-11, 13-6 ACC) and No. 2 Duke (27-3, 18-1) is more than just a rivalry game. For the Tar Heels and coach Hubert Davis, Saturday night is a chance to make a statement. And with a win, they could potentially lock up a double bye in the ACC Tournament and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With a win, UNC would head into the ACC Tournament as the No. 4 seed and play Thursday afternoon in Charlotte.

Remarkably enough, the Tar Heels enter this game riding a six-game win streak. They are now playing much better basketball than they were back during their loss to Duke. They have found their stride, and although they are still the underdogs, they have confidence in their ability to beat the Blue Devils. It will be a tall task. Duke, led by sensation Cooper Flagg, is one of the elite teams to beat this year. UNC will have their work cut out for them, but as Field of 68’s Rob Dauster pointed out, the challenge for the Tar Heels will be tough but not impossible.

Dauster took UNC’s side on the recent episode of Field of 68: After Dark. He noted, “It’s gonna take 30 burgers from RJ Davis. Ian Jackson is looking like the Ian Jackson that we saw six weeks ago. Seth Trimble is playing well, and somehow, some way, some miracle. The fact that North Carolina’s starting lineup, with Ven-Allen Lubin as a 6’7″ center, is going to be able to compete with a team that starts four guys who are six foot seven or taller—I don’t know how they’re going to do it. But I would not be surprised if North Carolina found a way to get this done.”

Despite all the challenges they face, UNC boasts some serious firepower, with RJ Davis leading the charge. Averaging 17.2 points per game, Davis has been an offensive dynamo and recently moved into third place on the ACC’s all-time scoring list, surpassing legends like Johnny Dawkins. Add in his impressive shooting numbers, including a superb 87% from the free-throw line, and he’s arguably the best player on the floor every night.

Alongside Davis, Ian Jackson has been an engine for the Tar Heels. He is currently averaging 13.7 points, shooting 47.7% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc. Seth Trimble has also been a consistent player for the Heels this season as he is currently averaging 12.3 points. With these three playing doubt, it’s possible for the Heels to hang with anybody, but they will need all hands on deck.

Can the Tar Heels overcome Cooper Flagg’s threat

The last time these two teams met, Duke effectively ended the game early. Duke went on a 16-0 run in the first 7 minutes of the game, stretching the lead to 40-13. It was an early knockout punch that left little chance of life for UNC. Cooper Flagg dropped 21 points and Duke comfortably blew out the Tar Heels in a 87-70 win. Since then, the Tar Heels have been a different team, and their good play of late has given the Heels new life.

UNC is currently riding on a hot streak, and a lot of that has to do with how well they’re shooting the 3-ball. In those last six games, the Tar Heels are shooting a ridiculous 47% from three. Jae’Lyn Withers and Ian Jackson have been absolutely on fire in that span, with Withers shooting over 56% from 3 and Jackson nailing 60.7% of his attempts. So, can they pull off the upset against the Blue Devils? It surely wouldn’t be a surprise.

Rob Dauster said it best for UNC’s challenge, “You’ve got to have an 80-run to open the game. You need to do something early that gets the crowd into it, right? Because if you remember what happened in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke was up like 47 to 15 or something like that. That game was over just five minutes into it. You cannot let that happen if you’re North Carolina.” That is been the story of the Duke-UNC rivalry; Who gets the momentum first. Who is going to put the game away last. That story continues this Saturday at the Dean Dome. The final stage before the ACC Tournament.

As the two teams gear up for one final meeting this season, the stakes have never been higher. Can Duke’s size and Cooper Flagg’s talent propel them to yet another win? Will UNC’s new offense and ever-increasing confidence carry the Tar Heels to an upset victory? Either way, there are few rivalries fiercer than the Border War, and this game won’t disappoint.