OFFENSE

North Carolina must funnel the ball to the big men inside, where Duke is most vulnerable on defense.

It must speed up its transition game. The extent UNC can accelerate is largely dependent on how fast Ty Lawson can push the ball coming off his ankle injury and how many minutes he can play. He still isn't operating at 100 percent.

The Tar Heels need sharper perimeter shooting this time from Danny Green and Wayne Ellington. In the first meeting, they were a combined 4-for-24 with Green going 1-for-10 and Ellington 3-for-14.

DEFENSE

The Heels need to cut down on Duke's penetration and cover the 3-point shooters. UNC is holding opponents to 32.7 percent from behind the arc, 4th best in the ACC.

Do not be surprised if the Tar Heels try some point-zone if they have trouble stopping the Devils off the dribble.

REBOUNDING

Keep pounding the glass at both ends. Carolina leads the ACC in overall rebounding and is second on the offensive boards behind Clemson, getting about 15 second-chance opportunities per game.

Duke's keys

OFFENSE

Duke has to stretch UNC's defense with its well-spaced scheme, penetrate and hit open 3s when the Tar Heels help on the dribbler. In the 89-78 win at Chapel Hill, the Blue Devils converted 13 of 29 shots behind the arc. Duke also tops the ACC in made 3-pointers with 9.4 per game.

DEFENSE

As always, limiting Tyler Hansbrough is a high priority but hard to achieve. The Devils will pressure UNC ballhandlers with customary tenacity and hope to create difficult passing angles to the post. If Hansbrough gets the ball, he can expect the usual defensive crowd around him. They can't neglect Deon Thompson, who has smooth moves and shots around the paint.

Duke also needs to generate offense from its defense. The Blue Devils lead the ACC in forced turnovers (19.1), which they often convert into transition baskets.

REBOUNDING

Box out can help produce a knockout. Carolina paces the ACC with a plus-11.8 rebounding margin compared with Duke's 0.7 edge over opponents.

But despite a 49-38 rebounding deficit at UNC, Duke won.

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