North Carolina claimed their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in seven years with a triumphant 84-79 victory over fierce rival Duke. The Tar Heels, ranked seventh, secured the top seed in the ACC Tournament and completed a season sweep of the ninth-ranked Blue Devils. The game was not without drama as fans threw water and empty plastic bottles at the celebrating Tar Heels, who waved goodbye in a taunting farewell.
UNC guard RJ Davis acknowledged the unsportsmanlike behavior but maintained a positive outlook, stating, 'We're still going to enjoy it at the end of the day.' Cormac Ryan led the Tar Heels with a career-high 31 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
UNC's dominant performance saw them maintain control throughout the game, with a strong start propelling them to a 15-point lead. Despite Duke's efforts to narrow the gap, they never managed to take the lead, prompting coach Jon Scheyer to apologize to fans for the team's performance.
On the Duke side, Kyle Filipowski stood out with 23 points, but the team struggled defensively and on the boards, being outrebounded 39-28. The Blue Devils, who had been on a winning streak leading up to the game, acknowledged the need to regroup for the upcoming ACC Tournament.
Both teams now turn their focus to the tournament in the nation's capital, with UNC celebrating their ACC regular-season title and Duke looking to bounce back from the loss. The rivalry game was not without its contentious moments, including a tripping incident involving Filipowski and Ingram that added to the intensity of the matchup.
As the season progresses, fans can stay updated on AP Top 25 basketball rankings and news. The upcoming ACC Tournament promises more thrilling matchups and fierce competition as teams vie for conference supremacy.
