College Basketball: Bellweather Game for Duke and UNC

Tonight’s match-up between North Carolina and Duke will be about more than bragging rights. Duke’s status as a Final Four contender and the extent of the Tar Heels’ recovery from last season will be the main talking points.

Down year for the ACC
The ACC is used to duelling with the Big East for consideration as the deepest conference in the nation. This year however it’s barely ahead of the Pac-10 when it comes to gauging the power conferences. That’s bad news for #5 Duke and #21 North Carolina as it makes it harder to impress the selection committee. Their two meetings in ACC play will be their best chances between now and March to secure a high seeding. The only realistic way Duke claims a #1 seed in the dance is if they beat the Tar Heels twice and secure either the regular season or tournament title in the ACC. UNC’s eyes are on a #4 seed but they need a lot of help to get there.

Sluggish resurgence
While a return to the dance was the first priority of the Tar Heels’ season, there is also immense pressure on Roy Williams to catch-up to their in-state rivals. Their non-conference resume won’t sit well with the committee. Their only quality win came over Kentucky in December while they lost at Illinois, at home to Texas, and against Minnesota and Vanderbilt at neutral sites. College Basketball betting fans know this is not the resume of a Sweet Sixteen team.

Conference play has been kinder to the Tar Heels, with the only blemish being a loss at Georgia Tech. Despite winning their last five on the trot, UNC’s #21 ranking looks inflated. A quality performance at Duke tonight would change that perception immediately.

Coach K needs this
Mike Krzyzewski knows that right bracketologists are inclined to view Duke’s record as really being 13-2 rather than 21-2, indicating the games since Kyrie Irving’s injury are the ones that will matter in the march to the NCAA Tournament. Victory tonight would remove some of the doubt and show the Blue Devils can take down what few quality opponents remain on their schedule without Irving. The return game at the Dean Smith Center will probably prove even more important but Duke need to take care of business tonight. Look for the Blue Devils to start strong and use their clear talent advantage to take care of business. Bet on Duke to win as -10.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.

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