It doesn’t get much bigger than Saturday’s Final Four rivalry between Duke and North Carolina.
It’s not only the first postseason meeting in this storied rivalry, but also the last Final Four in the illustrious career of Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski. Meanwhile, Hubert Davis — whose Tar Heels spoiled his contemporary’s final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium in February — is the first coach since UNC’s Bill Guthridge to make the Final Four in his first season as head coach.
Guthridge, of course, was the coach to replace the legendary Dean Smith in his first Final Four run; Davis replaced Roy Williams — a fascinating parallel that only adds to the historic nature of Saturday’s meeting.
MORE: Watch Duke-UNC game live on Sling TV
What else is there to say about this game? For starters, it will give Coach K the chance to avenge his final home loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils didn’t get another shot at the Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament after UNC lost to Virginia Tech in the semifinals (the Blue Devils would go on to lose to the Hokies, as well.)
Of course, there will be no shortage of elite talent on the floor, starting with Duke’s Paolo Banchero. The talented freshman has scored no fewer than 16 points a game in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, averaging 18.5 points, seven rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals and a block per game. He also averages 51.0 percent field goal shooting and 53.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Wendell Moore Jr. (13.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apt); Mark Williams (14.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, four blocks per game); AJ Griffin (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Jeremy Roach (12.8 ppg, 1.3 steals per game) have also played great at the perfect time of the season.
The Tar Heels, meanwhile, are playing some of their best ball, too. North Carolina’s March Madness run has been led by the big-three of Armando Bacot (16.5 ppg, 15.8 rpg, 50.0 field goal percentage), Caleb Love (18 points, 37.5 3-point percentage) and Brady Manek (21.5 points, 8.8 rpg, 57.7 field goal percentage, four made 3s per game).
Will North Carolina once again spoil Coach K’s farewell season? Or will Duke exact revenge and give Krzyzewski a chance to win one final national championship?
The Sporting News has you covered on how to tune in and find out:
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What channel is Duke vs. North Carolina on today?
- TV Channel: TBS
- Live Stream: NCAA March Madness Live, Sling TV
Duke vs. North Carolina will air on TBS. Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery will call the game from the booth, while Tracy Wolfson serves as reporter.
Duke vs. North Carolina start time
- Date: Saturday, April 2
- Time: 8:49 p.m. ET | 5:49 p.m. PT (approximately)
Duke vs. North Carolina is getting the primetime treatment, tipping off at approximately 8:49 ET at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Tip-off could be effected if the first Final Four game (Kansas-Villanova) runs late.
March Madness schedule 2022
Final Four
Saturday, April 2
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 2 Villanova | 6:09 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| No. 2 Duke vs. No. 8 UNC | 8:49 p.m. (approx.) | TBS, Sling TV |
National championship
Monday, April 4
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |