ESPN College GameDay crew details where Duke has improved since first North Carolina game

During Saturday morning’s edition of ESPN College GameDay live from Durham, NC on the Duke campus, the crew broke down what’s different about the Blue Devils ahead of their second matchup with rival North Carolina.

Rece Davis set the table, noting that both teams have played well since the last game, a 93-84 UNC win in Chapel Hill, and Duke had arguably been the “better” team over that span.

“I think this is the test to show how much better they’ve gotten,” said Andraya Carter, explaining that the last game was maybe a little embarrassing for Duke. “Not only did Carolina punk them on the court, Armando Bacot punked them after the game, saying ‘The ACC runs through me.’ This is Duke’s chance. They have to play well in this game.”

If Duke does want to turn the tides of the rivalry, Jay Williams believes the key is superior defense.

“The reality is that Duke gave up 93 points in that ballgame,” he said of the first contest. “That’s the most points they’ve given up all year long. Since that ballgame, they’ve given up 66 points per game. They’re better defensively. They need to be aggressive.”

Seth Greenberg believes in the Blue Devils of late and loves said he loves how John Scheyer is coaching this 2024 group.

“I love the way John Scheyer has developed this basketball team. Yeah, they lost at Carolina, but this is a totally different basketball team. They’ve developed their bench, they’ve improved their defense, they’re playing (Kyle) Filipowski on the block a little bit more, Sean Stewart now gives them some athleticism. They’ve improved significantly.”

He was even bold enough to declare that Duke has a slightly higher ceiling this season than the Tar Heels.

“I look at this Duke team, I look at an Elite Eight/Final Four team. I look at Carolina, I think they’re an Elite Eight team,” added Greenberg.

Lastly, Jay Bilas swooped in to point out that rebounding was a deciding factor last time and likely will be again tonight.

“You got to take Carolina out of transition and keep them off the glass. There’s going to have to be all five guys rebounding,” Bilas says for Duke. “Rebounding is going to be a huge factor in this game. They’re both good rebounding teams. Carolina proved to be the better team in the first game.”

Throw out the clipboards and just go hustle, says Bilas.

“I think it’s more about fight than game plan. Carolina took the fight to Duke in the first game, it’s got to be turned turned around if Duke wants to win.”