chris anderson: Rivalry: (3) Duke Blue Devils vs. (6) North Carolina Tar Heels Heat Up College Basketball in March

(3) Duke Blue Devils

vs.

(6) North Carolina Tar Heels

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is where basketball is played and these two teams are the most beloved teams college basketball. We should get a historic basketball game as both teams try and make sure they get first seeds in the NCAA College Basketball Tourney, the Big Dance and March Madness.

We will see two legendary coaches go to battle in one of the most heralded sporting events in all of sport the Duke verses North Carolina game.

Coach K - Mike Krzyzewski has been here 75 times as the head coach at Duke and is 37-38 in those meetings, since coming over from Army in 1980. He will be looking to make sure he gets to .500 in this rivalry. Coach K in his career at Duke has an 853-229 record with Blue Devils and may coach to get 1000 wins. But, North Carolina is the one team he must beat year after year to keep the Blue Devil fans the happiest. Well, winning four national championships might take precedents. In Chapel Hill, their last meeting, Duke came away relieved as Austin Rivers won with a buzzer beater to make the game one of the best in the history of the rivalry against his nemesis.

Roy Williams as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels is 4-4 going against Duke at Cameron Indoor that could be good place to be as your last meeting was a loss at the buzzer. Roy is 6 -2 against Duke in the second game of the season so he has the numbers on his side. Last year in the last game of the season against Duke it was a blowout with the final score 81 UNC to 67 Duke. Could we see that happen again unlikely or is it? The mastermind of the two head coaches cannot be matched anywhere in college basketball. Roy Williams has proved it with the two National Championships under his belt at North Carolina, but the pleasure and accolades from beating Duke is nearly in second place to those awards.

The players are the ones on the court after getting scouted, signed, coached and getting prepared for the games against each other they know this is the biggest game of the year. Let's take a look into some of the players and see how they match up and what each team will have to deal with.

Duke Blue Devils

Guard - Austin Rivers - The freshman has already shown he understands big game pressure with the last second buzzer beater in their last meeting. The last meeting should have given him a huge lift in the confidence department. He has shown all year that as a freshmen he can be the leader and go to guy for this team. So, look for him to use his talents and his 6'4'' and 200 lbs frame to take charge and try and win again against the Tar Heels. The points leader on the team with 459 for the season and 15.3 points a game shows that he is a big part of the offensive scheme and should get some open looks to showcase his talents.

Guard - Seth Curry - The quickness he possess has match up problems all over the court. Seth leads the team in steals with 39 for the season. But, having the team lead in assists at 72 helps his teammates excel on offense making his presence on both sides of the ball an asset and a winning formula.

Forward - Mason Plumlee - The paint has it's big man daring the UNC rivals to come into his lane. The leader on the team with 46 block shots will deny the rim to be violated up close. If they can get it past him and a missed field goal occurs he leads the team in with 282 rebounds, so they better just stay outside.

Forward - Miles Plumlee - The weak side of the defense will also be denied as the ball just will have no place to go third on the team with 28 block shots and second on the team with 211 rebounds says he has Mason's back. With only 19.6 minutes a game he is a spark plug on the defensive side of the ball that will allow plenty of rest for everyone.

Guard - Andre Dawkins - Better not give too much space to this sharp shooter he will light it up from the arc. His 66 total 3-pointers led the team and with .413 percent accuracy could keep the defense honest and let the other to guards drive to the basket. If you do leave a spot open he will drive and give a highlight reel or two!

North Carolina Tar Heels

Forward - Harrison Barnes - Athleticism aplenty in this above the rim player. The scoring prow less is second to none on his team with 522 total points on the season and 17.4 points a game has the skill set to make it happen. The three time ACC player of the week proves he can put his team on his back and carry them to victory.

Forward - Tyler Zeller - Has an all around game that can fill a stat sheet 16.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1, spg and 44 blocks on the season. A do it all unselfish player will do anything to take down the Blue Devils in Cameron.

Forward - John Henson - Defense is were his true talent lies. The big man takes charge down low in the post when given the chance to take out the defender leading the team with 92 blocks has got to show Duke that going to the basket might not be a good option! Creating space and getting the rebound with 310 on the season is also a passion that shows in his work.

Guard - Reggie Bullock - The 3 point line can't contain him with 54 on the season it will bring the defenses to him, but that still may not be enough. He shot 139 attempts so far this year so there must be ice in his veins because he will shoot the rock from anywhere anytime. The green light will more than likely be on for him to use so three point line might be determining factor on how to guard him.

Guard - Kendall Marshall - The players on the Tar Heels team need eyes in the back of their heads due to Marshall's ability to distribute the ball. The all time UNC single season assist record holder with 289 assists this year will absolutely defy where the defense will be guarding. He has the ability to get the ball off so quickly and be able to have the timing down to know when the scorer will need the ball in hand is an amazing attribute that he possesses.