UNC vs Duke in Final Four? Hubert Davis, Tar Heels on potential third rivalry meeting
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis took the same stand on Saturday about potentially facing Duke in the Final Four as he took when the Tar Heels played the Blue Devils in the regular season finale.
Davis knew going into Cameron Indoor Stadium would involve more pomp and circumstance than a normal rivalry game because it was the last home game in Krzyzewski’s storied career. Close to 100 former Duke players that covered Krzyzewski’s 42 years on campus were all back to witnesses it. People like Jerry Seinfield, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and comedian/actor Ken Jeong were among the celebrities who were present.
Davis quoted a Bible verse from Proverbs 4:25 in his practice thought of the day.
“It’s to keep your eyes straight ahead, ignore all sideshow distractions,” Davis said. “And so what’s straight ahead is Saint Peter’s. So our full attention is on our preparation, our practice and making sure that we play our best against a great Saint Peter’s team.”
Duke advanced to its 13th Final Four under coach Mike Krzyzewski by beating Arkansas on Saturday. Should the eight seeded Tar Heels beat Saint Peter’s in the NCAA tournament East region final on Sunday, they would advance to play the Blue Devils for a third time this season.
There was a chance it would happen in the ACC tournament championship. Duke beat Miami in the first semifinal. Duke freshman forward Paolo Banchero was asked after the game who he’d rather face in the title game and he said, “UNC.” Carolina lost to Virginia Tech so the meeting didn’t take place.
UNC junior forward Armando Bacot admitted it’s hard not to think about it, but he’s not consumed because the Heels still have to beat the Peacocks.
“I’ve been trying to have a tunnel vision, but I’d be lying to you if I said that hasn’t crossed my mind,” Bacot said. “It’s obviously something that has crossed my mind. But I mean, I’m just focusing on we got to handle business and if y’all want to see that game, Duke gotta handle business too.”
This story was originally published March 26, 2022 at 11:01 PM.