Duke players explain why Mark Williams is the best defender they've played alongside

Mark Williams has been a force on the defensive side of the ball all season long for Duke. Ahead of their highly-anticipated showdown with North Carolina in the Final Four, his teammates were asked if he’s the best defender they’ve ever shared a court with.

First, Blue Devils forward Wendell Moore Jr. heaped high praise on Williams.

“I would say, yes, Mark is the best defensive player I’ve played with,” revealed Moore. “It’s great because he makes my job easier guarding the perimeter. I know if I get beat off the dribble he’ll be there to have my back.”

All season long, Mark Williams has had his teammate’s back. In addition to Moore, star forward Paolo Banchero couldn’t do anything aside from agree when it came to Williams’ defensive prowess.

“I have to agree,” stated Banchero. “Definitely the best defensive player I’ve played with. He gets a lot of credit for the blocks, but I think more the effect that I see is just when — just the shots he changes and kind of the fear he puts in the offensive players, you know. A lot of players are hesitant to go up. They pump fake or kick out when usually they go and try and finish just because Mark’s there.

“So it’s a big help. For sure.”

In his second season with Duke, Williams has come alive on the defensive side of the ball. His average blocks per game went from 1.4 to 2.9 per game, and his defensive rebounds improved from 2.6 per game to 4.9. He scares other stars out of the paint, using force and intelligence to play ferocious defense.

It’ll all be on full display on Saturday. Mark Williams will need to be on his game for Duke to send rival North Carolina home with a loss in New Orleans.

More on North Carolina vs. Duke

A historic game will take place on Saturday when North Carolina and Duke face-off in the Final Four. Considered the greatest rivalry in college basketball — and by many, the greatest in all of sports — the lights have never shined brighter on the matchup.

Additionally, an added level of intensity joins the rivalry as it takes place at the Final Four, with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career hanging in the balance. As you can see, there’s a myriad of storylines to follow entering Saturday’s game.

“The rivalry is real,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said of North Carolina-Duke meeting in the Final Four. “You have two elite programs seven miles apart, same conference, consistently putting out great teams and great programs on and off the court and in the classroom and in the community.

“So for the first time ever matching up in the Final Four is historic. It’s never happened before. The last time North Carolina and Duke were in the Final Four, I was a junior at Carolina in Indianapolis, and they ended up winning the National Championship, and we lost to Kansas.”

Duke enters the Final Four after winning the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils defeated CSU Fullerton, Michigan State, Texas Tech and Arkansas on their way to New Orleans.

On the other hand, North Carolina cut down the nets as the victors of the East Region. The Tar Heels defeated Marquette, Baylor, UCLA and Saint Peter’s to get to the Final Four.

Now, the team separating Duke and North Carolina from the championship game is their greatest rival. You couldn’t write a better story in Hollywood.