Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus UCF on October 21, 2025 at 7 p.m.
/
7 p.m.
Men's Basketball
vs UCF
.png&width=24&height=24&type=webp)
Duke Poll Results: Your Favorite Duke-UNC Moments
2/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 5, 2004
Although some people may want to revamp their answers and add in a moment from the February 5, 2004, game, below is a list complied from some of the e-mails received for your favorite Duke moment from the Duke-UNC series. GoDuke.com was overwhelmed with answers and we apologize if yours didn't make the list. Not to fret, there's always the March 6 game in Cameron!
Editor's Note: The game was held Feb. 4, 1961, and No. 4 Duke defeated No. 5 North Carolina 81-77.
Bud
It has to be the game at Duke Indoor Stadium my senior year (1961). The tone was set in the freshmen game where the game ended with 5 on 4. Then the varsity game. UNC was loaded. (Doug) Moe had size, muscle, and attitude uncommon for big men of the era. (Vic) Bubas was in his 3rd year. (Eddie) Cameron, the AD, had done an unthinkable act of bringing in a young, untested coach to rebuild the Duke program. There, of course, was no shot clock and I will never forget York Lareese, the UNC guard, standing there smiling with the ball on his hip and a 5 point lead late in the game. York had some of the quickest hands I have ever seen. Defense was then as now the cornerstone of the good Duke teams, and (John) Frye along with a guy named (Art) Heyman went to work. A couple of steals, Heyman knocked down everything, a melee in front of the Kappa Alpha bench (bad judgment on the part of UNC) time running out, Duke ahead. Duke won!
Poobah
The home game during the 1960-61 season had a big brawl near the end of the game. Art Heyman had made a hard foul against Larry Brown and some of the UNC players took offense and a huge brouhaha ensued. It took 15-20 minutes to restore order. Duke won and Heyman had a bunch of points.
Editor's Note: Senior Art Heyman scores 40 points and pulls down 24 rebounds on senior day in a 106-93 win over the Tar Heels. Both are still in the top 10 in Duke's record book for single-game records.
Dan
Art Heyman's final home game against Carolina -- I was a high school student at the time in Greensboro. Heyman was the most dynamic player in college basketball at the time. He scored 40 points against the Heels; the picture in the Greensboro Daily News the next morning showed Heyman spinning into the lane for a shot, with all five UNC defenders collapsing on him... yes, he scored. What a pic, and what a great memory.
Stuart
Way back, when Art Heyman scored 40 points and had 24 rebounds! You had to be there!
Chris
Art heyman shaking his fist in the air as he scored 40 points and had 20 rebounds in beating UNC his senior year.
Editor's Note: In an unusually low-scoring game, No. 3 Duke tops North Carolina 21-20 in the semifinal of the ACC Tournament March 4, 1966. Duke would go on to defeat N.C. State in the final and advance to their third Final Four in four years, finishing third in the NCAA. Eight of the game's 10 starters played all 40 mintues.
Bob '41
March 4, 1966 ACC Tournament in Raleigh, Duke wins 21-20, Mike Lewis foul shots in final minutes!
Editor's Note: In a triple-overtime thriller, No. 10 Duke tops the third-ranked Tar Heel's, 87-86, on Duke's senior night on March 2, 1968. Fred Lind played 31 minutes off the bench, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from the line for 16 points and also added nine rebounds.
Mark
The game I remember most happened a long time ago. It was the last game of the regular season; I believe the year was 1968. Carolina had one of its usual superb teams and led most of the game, and most of the Devil regulars were in foul trouble. Late in the game a rarely used backup center named Fred Lind entered the game. The Devils then made a frenzied comeback to tie the game, and it went to three overtimes before Duke won. The star of the latter part of the game was Fred Lind, who scored nearly 20 points. When he left the stadium later, the student body carried him off on their shoulders.
Tom
Fabbo Freddie Lind comes off the bench after Missoula Mike Lewis fouls out and leads Duke to a triple overtime win in 1968. If anyone has film of this game, I would love to see it!
Chris
Somewhere around 1968, Duke and UNC went 3 or 4 OT's with Duke winning the game! A reserve by the name of Fred Lind was the hero when the 'Montana Mountain,' Mike Lewis got into early foul trouble and fouled out. Fred Line scored about 30 points.
Jim
My most favorable Duke-Carolina game was in March 1968. I had been a Duke fan since I was 6 and we got our first TV in 1962. My father knew someone who had tickets and they would give them to him from time to time. The game was at Duke and as I remember it Carolina was favored to win. It took 3 overtimes but Duke was victorious. It was a moment with both my Dad and my all time favorite basketball team that I will never forget.
Lawrence
Long before there were Cameron Crazies, there was a Duke-UNC game played in Cameron that, to this day, stands out in my mind as one of the most thrilling sports events I've ever witnessed. That was the last home game of the 1968 season, and it went to three overtimes, with Duke finally winning 87-86. I was sitting two or three rows behind the Duke bench, and the noise was unbelievable, certainly equal to anything the Crazies can generate today. At the end of regulation and at the end of the first two overtimes, Duke came from nowhere to tie the score. A largely unheralded Fred Lind came off the bench and made some truly amazing plays. From that day on, I was hooked on Blue Devil basketball.
Steve
The triple overtime win in 1969. There was a snowstorm outside, it was Vic Bubas' last game at Cameron and Fred Lind came off the bench for the game of his career! (Editor's Note: Vic Bubas' last game was in 1969, this game was in 1968)
David
This is a really hard question but my most memorable may be the 1969 triple overtime game in Cameron against Charlie Scott and the Tar Heels. Robbie West's bomb from about the same distance as Caple's shot to go into a second overtime also brings back many good memories. It always felt better for me to beat Carolina when the Tar Heels were superior and Duke was overachieving. All Duke-UNC games are special in every sport.
Editor's Note: It was January 22, 1972, and Duke upset No. 3 North Carolina 76-74 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. George O'Connor and Chris Redding led Duke with 24 points each. Robbie West hit 2-of-3 free throws in the game.
Anonymous
Robbie West sinking a foul line jumper at the buzzer to beat UNC in '72. Bob McAdoo, George Karl and crew ranked No. 3. This was my first Duke-UNC game.
Paul
When Robbie West hit a jump shot to win the game at Cameron in the 1971-72 season. I am not sure what was more memorable - his shot or his afro.
Editor's Note: An unranked Duke knocked off No. 2 North Carolina 92-84. After the game, Duke moved into the rankings at No. 17 and would eventually advance to the National Championship Game and finish the season ranked No. 7. Mike Gminski shot 12-of-15 for 29 points and Jim Sparnakel added 23 and Gene Banks 15 in the game. North Carolina had won 12 of the previous 13 meetings.
Bill R '80
In 1978, Duke proved that it was for real by beating the No. 2 Tar Heels at Cameron (92-84) with (Mike) Gminski, (Gene) Banks, (Jim) Spanarkel, et al. Duke had been 1-9 against Carolina in the previous 10 games and the win ended that long period of frustration. The young 1978 team went on to NCAA finals, losing to Kentucky, but reviving Duke's winning tradition. That team also inspired John Feinstein's book "Forever's Team". In the book, Gminski, who had 29 points and 10 rebounds, was quoted as follows, "I remember standing at the foul line with a few seconds to go and it was over, we were going to win. The noise was like nothing I've ever heard in my life. I really thought the whole building was shaking. It was unbelievable." Unbelievable for all of us who were there as well!
Editor's Note: In one of the strangest halves in Duke history, No. 6 Duke led No. 4 North Carolina 7-0 at halftime. Each team would score 40 second-half points for Duke to pull out the 47-40 win. Jim Sparnakel led Duke with 17 points.
Glen
I remember a game in Cameron in 1978 or 1979 where Duke led 7-0 at halftime after UNC had tried to play the four corners for the entire first half and missed the only three or four shots they took in the half. Duke shot well, but only got the ball four or five times. You had to yell just to talk to the person standing (for the whole game) right beside you. Both teams scored 40 points in the second half for a 47-40 Duke win.
Lew
In the Spring of 1978 (or was it 1979), Carolina came into Cameron, with Dean Smith and his four corners offense, to face an upstart Duke team. Fearful of the Cameron crowd and the young, brash Duke team, Carolina held the ball from the opening tip-off, and the halftime score was 7-0 (Duke). The final was 47-40, with Duke winning by the 7 point spread from the first half.
Jay
The game from the late 1970s where UNC played "four corners" in the first half and the score was Duke, 7-0. Then at the end of the game it was Duke winning by a score of 47-40.
Robert
The halftime score of the Duke Carolina game in the 1970s that was Duke 7, Carolina 0. That's my favorite moment.
Rob
A 7-0 halftime score with Rich (nice tan) Yonakor starring at center for the tar heels. (Editor's Note: According to the box score, Yonakor came off the bench but did play 26 minutes while the starting center, Pete Budko, only registered one minute in the final stats.)
Davis
Halftime Score: Duke 7, UNC 0. After almost the entire half in a four corners stall, Dean Smith lets his team play. Their first shot is an air ball!
Sue
In 1979, Carolina comes in to Cameron and Dean Smith decides that he's going to the four corners from the opening tip. Crowd going NUTS the whole time. The strategy backfires and Duke leads 7-0 at halftime. Second half, Carolina played straight-up. Game ended with a Duke win, 47-40. Holding Carolina to 0 points in a half--priceless!
Brett
When I was at Duke 1977-81, we had a game where the halftime score was 7-0 (in Duke's favor), because Dean Smith used 4 corners to try and quiet the crowd at Cameron. It didn't work, we were loud as ever, especially when their guy threw an air-ball and stayed scoreless; we won the game 47-40.
Dave
Rich Yonakor air-balling the final shot of the first half in the 1979 game, preserving a first half shut-out by Duke, and adding the term "Air Ball" to the basketball lexicon.
Gary
Jim Sparnarkle's senior year. UNC held the ball "four Corners". I remember UNC did not score the first half and Duke only scored a few baskets. The second half was normal. I love to tell that zero points story to UNC or Duke fans. Just a wonderful moment. I was at work that day had to listen to it on the radio. Do you think it could be shown as a classic some time? Go Duke!
Editor's Note: On Feb. 28, 1981, Gene Banks scored 25 points while playing all 45 minutes in a 68-67 overtime thriller over the No. 11 Tar Heels.
Bob
Gene Banks making a 25-foot shot at the buzzer with Sam Perkins in his face to send the game into overtime.
Kenny
My and Gene's last home game against UNC...when Ticker Bell hit the shot to go into overtime, Cameron Indoor was as loud as I had ever heard it, both then and now!
Paul
Gene Banks turnaround jumper at the top of the key for the win.
Steve
Gene Banks final game when he shot over Sam Perkins and won the game.
Phil
In the final home game for Banks and (Kenny) Dennard, Banks sinks a jumper over Perkins to send the game into OT. Duke wins 66-65. Duke was down by 2 with 2 seconds left. After a timeout, Dennard inbounded to Engelland near half court. Time out was called. Dennard then inbounded to Banks who sank the jumper to send the game into OT.
Dan
They say you will always remember your first! Gene Banks tying the 1981 game at the buzzer and then destroying them in overtime. This was followed up that evening with a Springsteen concert in which the Duke, Wake and State fans expressed their interest in Carolina's future travels in unison at the intermission.
David
Watching Gene Banks take the last shot to propel Duke to overtime in his last home game. That moment was perhaps better than his winning shot in overtime. I was a graduate student sitting behind the far basket, but this gave me a good view of him rising up for the shot. The game was followed that evening by a Springsteen concert in Greensboro. He played Devil with the Blue Dress and all the Duke fans at the concert were easily identifiable. They were up and dancing. I'll bet even Bruce was surprised to hear the familiar Carolina game chant at the end of the song!
Chris
Gene Banks, 1981-82. Enough said.
Tom
Gene "Tinkerbell" Banks' two great shots to beat Carolina in 1981. I was standing on the steps of the Law School and heard the roar - I only saw replays of the shots, but I still get chills thinking about that sound coming through the pines - sounded like Sherman's march to the sea.
Editor's Note: No. 16 Duke stuns a Michael Jordan-led No. 1 North Carolina team 77-75 in the ACC Tournament. Despite 22 from Jordan and 20 from Matt Doherty, Mark Alarie led Duke with 21 points, Jay Bilas had 10 points and 11 rebounds and Johnny Dawkins had 16 points to give Duke the victory.
Mike in DC
In 1984 Carolina went undefeated in the league with Jordan. That team lost in the ACC tourney semifinal to Coach K and his Johnny Dawkins-led team. It was a big victory for the sophomore-laden Duke team 77-75. Whenever I see a game with that score even 20 years later, I hearken back to that particular game in Greensboro which I got to see personally as a Duke freshman having won a lottery to attend.
Editor's Note: March 2, 1986, was senior day for Johnny Dawkins. He led No. 1 Duke to a 82-74 victory over No. 3 North Carolina. Dawkins scored 21 and David Henderson 27 to lead the Blue Devils.
Greg
My favorite Duke-UNC moment had to be the 1986 senior-day game at Cameron. This game included Johnny Dawkins breaking Duke's all-time scoring record and an abundance of future NBA players. Duke's 82-74 victory was an emotional and fitting home finale for the class that "started it all."
Editor's Note: In 1987-88, Duke swept the Tar Heels in three games, twice in the regular season and once in the ACC Tournament. It was the first time Duke swept Carolina since 1965-66.
Samuel Tripp Definitely the 87-88 season when Duke won all three meetings including the ACC Championship and was an underdog all three times. The look on Dean Smith's face after the last loss was priceless. He wouldn't even shake Coach K's hand and went straight to the locker room.
Mike
There are plenty to choose from here but I would have to go with Duke beating UNC for the third time in 1988. That Duke team was not the best by far but to beat UNC in the ACC Tournament championship game. What a great accomplishment!
Jon
My favorite is the 1987-88 season when Duke snatched a victory at the newly built Dean Dome. It marked a turning point for the up-and-coming Duke program against the long-standing UNC tradition. That season, in fact, Duke managed to beat Carolina three times taking the ACC Championship. Plus, as a first year undergraduate, a friend of mine at UNC (not knowing the basketball tradition) gave me her ticket when she couldn't go. So, I sat in the middle of the Carolina student section with full regalia and loud voice being heckled by the Heels. I'm sure my lone voice of dissent helped propel the Devils to victory in a tight finish.
Derek
The 1988 ACC Championship Game. Duke beats Carolina in a nail-biter for the third time that year and wins the ACC title and an even rarer Triple Crown.
Kevin
So many Duke-UNC games I went to as we managed to get tickets to the ones at UNC during my stay there, but I remember the home game in 1988 when we had already beat Carolina at their place. This game was back and forth and Duke took control late in the second half, but my memory is of Kevin Strickland stealing the ball and going in for a sealing lay-up or dunk and Coack K coming off the bench probably two feet in the air. I believe that season sealed Duke as Carolina's equal and moved them toward the '90s where they really became superior.
Editor's Note: No. 1 Duke defeated No. 20 North Carolina 94-74 March 15, 1992, to win their first ACC Championship since 1988 and en route to their second straight NCAA Championship. Christian Laettner scored 25 points off of an 8-of-12 shooting performance and also had 10 rebounds. Grant Hill was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field off the bench.
Rob
My favorite moment was going to my first Duke-UNC game. It was the 1992 ACC Championship game in Charlotte. My dad and I went and saw Christian Laettner put on a show. My favorite memory of the game however was after Duke had taken control of the game; looking up and seeing the Carolina fans almost in unison got up and left the game. It was unforgettable!!
David
The 20-point win in the 1992 ACC championship game in Charlotte when Grant Hill & Christian Laettner were near-perfect shooting. It was the springboard toward the national championship repeat.
In 1994-95, Mike Krzyzewski coached the first 12 games (Duke was 9-3), before leaving the team after back surgery and exhaustion. Pete Gaudet coached the final 19 games as interim head coach. On Feb. 2, 1995, an unranked Duke team pushed No. 2 North Carolina into double-overtime off a half-court shot by Jeff Capel. Duke ended up losing the game 102-100. Capel ended up with 17 points and seven assists in 42 minutes.
Lester
I would have to say that "the shot" was probably the best Duke-UNC moment. Jeff Capel hoisting up a prayer to extend an incredible game into yet another overtime. Duke at the time, was at one of its lowest points in school history and was playing for just pride. Just an awesome game even though we lost.
Ed
Gosh, there are so many truly memorable moments between Duke and UNC. I remember the game several years back when the game went into double overtime. Duke didn't have as strong a team as they usually do and UNC was a powerhouse with (Jerry) Stackhouse and (Rasheed) Wallace. Capel hit a half court bomb that sent it into double OT. Even though Duke lost that game, it was one of the most memorable games I've ever seen. Thanks for letting me share. Go Duke!!!
Scott
The Duke-UNC game at Cameron in 1995. Who could forget the memorable Jeff Capel shot from half court to send the game into double overtime. Despite the eventual heart breaking defeat this game, but specifically the shot, captures the true essence of this historic rivalry. It's magical. Go Devils.
Geoff
My favorite moment was the year Coach K was sidelined the entire year, UNC came into Cameron No. 2 in the nation, while Duke was struggling. Jeff Capel hit a shot just in front of half court to send the game into double overtime, one of the greatest Duke-UNC games I've ever seen.
Nathan
When Jeff Capel hit the half-court shot at Cameron to sent the game into double overtime. That was a classic.
Miguel
Duke Basketball 94-95... Capel. Enough said. Although the score proved to lie on the opposing side, the incredible play of an overmatched team showed what duke basketball is all about. Don't ever give up no matter how far outside the basket you are!
Jack
All of the 1995 home game that went to double-overtime on Serge Zwikker's missed free throws and Jeff Capel's half-court shot at the buzzer. Cameron was crazier than crazy that night, especially given that we were expected to get blown away. That was truly the best experience in being a spectator at an athletic event that I think I will ever have (even though we lost in the end).
Steve
Far and away my favorite moment was watching the TV carrying a 1995 game run its credits as though the game was over, and then Jeff Capel pulls up from near half court to give us another five minutes of basketball competition and joy.
David
I hate it because it was a game we lost...however, when Jeff Capel hit that half court shot that sent us into another OT, I have never jumped so high...what made it special was because we really weren't that good, but it was a very competitive game.
Julie
Who can forget the Jeff Capel half-court shot?
Joe
My favorite moment is when Jeff Capel hit the half-court shot to send the game into OT. Now granted Duke lost the ball game but what an amazing thing to happen in what is a great rivalry. The place went nuts and the pageantry of the Duke, UNC rivalry and the ACC was well brought out and represented. I'll never forget the shot of Serg Zwiker behind the play watching the ball hit the bottom of the net.
Editor's Note: No. 12 Duke defeated No. 19 North Carolina on Feb. 29, 1997, by a score of 80-73. Duke's Trajan Langdon was 7-of-12 from three-point land to register 28 points in 34 minutes.
Hilaire
I get so excited when they play, I usually forget who & what. But Langdon hitting a great number of deadly three's.
Adam
When Trajan Langdon dropped seven three pointers.
Editor's Note: On Feb. 28, 1998, Duke had senior night and No. 1 Duke defeated No. 3 North Carolina 77-75 in Steve Wojciechowski's last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Wojo had 11 assists. Duke fell behind by a score of 42-30 at the half but outscored UNC 47-33 in the second half to pull out the win. Elton Brand was recovering from an injury and came off the bench to score 16 points after shooting 6-of-8 from the field.
Carlos
It was Coach K's 500th victory. Elton Brand had gone down early in the season with a broken foot. He came off the bench in this game to lead Duke from a double-digit deficit to beat the (Antawn) Jamison, (Vince) Carter & (Ed) Cota Tar Heels. He played 27 minutes and scored 16 points to lead them to victory. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen.
Julie
My favorite one that comes to mind was the last regular season game of 1998 when UNC came to Cameron. It was Wojo's last year and it was an intense game. Duke barely pulled through and as soon as the buzzer blew, you saw Wojo run to Coach K and give him a big hug. It was an awesome, nail biting game, and that was a great way to end it!
Lauren
My favorite moment was a few years back, when Wojo was still on the team (as a player ;). Duke beat Carolina at Duke and when the game ended it was just tooo sweet and special to see Wojo and Coach K hug in such joy over their big win. I also think that's probably the most emotion I've ever seen out of the usually cool, calm and collected Coach K. :)
Chrissy
The 1998 home game will always live as my favorite Duke-UNC moment. My friends and I stood on the court, jammed into the front row. We were behind with only seconds to go when Wojo was sent to the line. He hit his first free throw, missed his second, but we got the rebound and went up for 2, winning the game by that 1 point!
Jeff
My favorite Duke-UNC moment was Wojo's Sr. Day when they came back from like 17 down. Elton Brand was just getting back in the flow from his broken foot and stepped up huge in the second half to erase the Tar Heel lead. After the game Wojo ran to coach K and gave him a huge hug. Miss see in Wojo play, and that was a great comeback, especially on Senior Day.
Tina
My favorite Duke moment from the Duke-UNC Series was during the 97-98 season. It was Wojo's last game against UNC at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the team came back from a large deficit to beat UNC in the final moments. I was so excited for Duke and, especially, for Wojo since he's my favorite Duke player of all-time. I still have the game on tape!
Ryan
It was senior day for Wojciechowski and McLeod at Cameron, and UNC (particularly Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter) looked unbeatable for most of the game. But the Devils had an amazing second half rally and took the lead with less than two minutes remaining. UNC could have stolen back the game or forced overtime in the last seconds, but the Crazies were rocking the house so hard that neither Ed Cota nor Brendan Haywood could make a free throw. And then we had the foam party.
Drew
Wojo leading Duke back to beat Carolina on his Senior night. That was one of the best sports moments i have ever seen. He wanted to win so bad, not only for his team, coach K, and the fans, but also for himself. It was a great game, and always a great memory when Duke beats Carolina. GO DUKE!!!
Dennis
My favorite moment has to be after the 1998 game in Cameron when Wojo ran off the court and into Coach K's arms. It just signified how much the game meant to them, but not only that, but how much the Duke program meant. It brings a shiver up my back every time I think of it.
Michael
I should simply call it "The Comeback." Down by double digits to UNC in Cameron in 1998. The Devils chipped away at the lead and McLeod's jumper late in the game sealed it. The only better moment was after the game when Wojo ran through the crowd looking for Coach K.
Dylan
My favorite Duke-UNC moment, by quite a margin, was the game in '98 in Cameron when Duke stormed back from down 17 behind Elton Brand. I don't think I have seen a team play more inspired than Duke played in the last eleven minutes of that game. The great thing about that comeback was how sudden and spontaneous it seemed: Duke had been dormant all game, UNC was on cruise control, well ahead, then, BOOM, the team erupts. Elton was suddenly unstoppable in the post, Wojo was pounding the floor on defense, Cameron was sheer pandemonium. It was also quite satisfying to see UNC's players so clearly unable to rise to the new level of the game, their fatigue readily evident in their body language. The capper was Wojo sprinting to embrace Coach K after the final buzzer. What an enduring moment.
Dan
My favorite moment of all time was at Cameron Indoor Stadium when Duke beat the tar heels 77-75 in Wojo's final game at home. It was a moment I will never forget, as Wojo ran through the storming fans rushing on the court to find Coach K to give him a hug.
Josh
Wojo's senior year when they were down the whole game and with around 10 minutes left in the game made the comeback which in my eyes was one of the most exciting ones ever in Cameron. The excitement as everyone made big shots, Avery, Brand, Carrawell, McCloud, and Dick Vitale's commentary was unbelievable. I've watched that game probably 100 times on tape.
Jason
My favorite moment from the Duke-Carolina series was the senior day for Wojo. It was close the whole game. Duke finally went up by a point with a few seconds left. Carolina came back down the court and tried to score but the Duke defense denied Carolina!! As time expired Wojo ran over to coach K and gave him a big hug. He had a great game and deserved to win on his senior day and goes down as my favorite Duke-UNC moment.
Editor's Note: No. 1 Duke defeated No. 15 North Carolina 96-73 in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte. William Avery led Duke with 29 points, while Elton Brand shot 9-of-11 for 24 points and 13 rebounds.
David
My favorite Duke vs. UNC moment was the '99 ACC championship game in charlotte. My dad and I drove up to Charlotte that morning for the game. We were sitting next to a bunch of Carolina fans but we didn't care. Duke creamed them and ended up winning the game. That was the year that started the streak and I expect it to continue this season.
Ryan
Very simple...Elton Brand and company beating UNC convincingly three times during the 1998-99 campaign. The Tar Heel faithful were very humble back then.
Josh
The 1999 ACC Tournament Championship game. Duke dominated UNC 96-73, one of the three lopsided Duke victories over the Tar Heels that season! Duke ran the table in the ACC going 19-0, 37-2 over all, and runner up National Champions!
Josh
It would definitely be the 1998-99 team composed of Brand, Maggette, Battier, Langdon, and Avery. They dominated the Tar Heels twice in the regular season and again in the ACC Tournament by an average of 21 points a game and made it look easy! They went 37-2 that season, including 19-0 in the ACC. Probably the most talented team not to win the national title (besides Duke in '86 & UNLV in '91)
Editor's Note: No. 3 Duke traveled into the Dean Dome on Feb. 3, 2000, and defeated UNC 90-86 in overtime. Shane Battier led Duke with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Carrawell scored 23 points.
Barry
I was at the Dean Dome for the Duke-UNC game in 2000. It was during my final year at Duke Law School. Duke, with freshmen Jason Williams, Mike Dunleavy, and Carlos Boozer, plus veterans Chris Carrawell and Shane Battier, sprinted to a 41-24 halftime lead. Joseph Forte made a three close to the buzzer to send the game into overtime. But Duke prevailed, 90-86, switching the momentum in a huge way. My blood pressure was so high that I was taking to the medical treatment area at the Dean Dome. But Duke pulled it out...that was the important thing!
On March 4, 2001, Duke's Shane Battier, three-time National Defensive Player of the Year, had one of the most memorable defensive plays in Duke history. No. 4 Duke defeated No. 4 North Carolina 95-81. Joesph Forte took a Duke steal for a sure dunk before Shane Battier came from behind and blocked him.
Greg
Shane Battier's fast break block from behind on Joseph Forte at UNC.
Nikki
2001 - Joseph Forte broke away down court and went up for a dunk. Shane Battier chased after him, leapt in the air and somehow blocked the dunk. What's great is that this was in front of the UNC home crowd.
Matt
When Shane Battier ran back to stop Joe Forte's fast break dunk. It was a great display of hustle, and he balled on Forte by blocking his - what he thought was a - wide open dunk.
Josh
My Favorite moment was when Joe Forte had stolen the ball from one of the Duke players, and he had a completely wide-open lay-up and Shane Battier sprints after Forte for the block from behind. Shane once again showing how he never ever gives up.
Chris
When Shane Battier blocked Joe Forte's break away lay-up attempt at Chapel Hill in 2001. Duke was facing a lot of adversity before that game because of Carlos Boozer being out with the foot injury. A lot of people began to count the Blue Devils out when a important part of their team was going to be absent for a long stretch. I believe their march to the championship started with that victory.
Woody
My favorite moment is really a game. In 2001, the same year as the last national title, Duke went into Chapel Hill to play UNC on senior day. Only a week before Duke lost Carlos Boozer and few believed they could win. Duke went with Casey Sanders for Boozer's replacement and also Chris Duhon started instead of Nate James to give more speed to the starting line up. Duke ended up beating UNC on the Tar Heel's senior day, as well as taking the ACC's regular season title. This game sparked a new game plan that took Duke on to being the national champs.
Darren
How about when Duke went into the Dean Dome without Carlos Boozer and ran them out of their own gym. I am sure this list will be filled with buzzer beaters and overtime thrillers, but that game was remarkable. Duke knocked down 18 3's on their way to the win. The small lineup with incredible hustle was fascinating to watch. Go Duke!!!
Adam
My favorite moment was the game in Chapel Hill in the 2000-01 season. Carlos Boozer had gone down with a foot injury right before the big game. Plus North Carolina had beaten Duke in Cameron earlier that season. Both teams were fighting for the top seed in the ACC. We were heavy underdogs that day, a role that Duke is not in too often. Guys like Casey Sanders and then freshman Chris Duhon really played well in the place of Boozer, and sparked the Devils run to the National Championship.
Munson
My favorite moment from the Duke-UNC series is from the 2000-01 season, when the Boozer-less Blue Devils whipped the overconfident Tar Heels by 14 points in the Smith Center. Of course, everyone remembers that this win sparked a ten game winning streak that ended with Duke's third national championship! Best part of the game: Casey Sanders rejecting Brendan Haywood's first two shot attempts after everyone--Duke fans included--had expected Haywood to dominate the paint.
Jaybe Meacham
2001- Carlos Boozer was just hurt in a loss to Maryland in Cameron, the celebration for the ACC title was already planned in Chapel Hill, and Coach K came up with a great game plan: guard Brendan Haywood with Reggie Love and press full court with Battier roaming at half court. They executed it beautifully with Jason Williams and Battier having huge games and the Devils ran the Heels right out of Chapel Hill. They followed that up with another thumping of the Heels in the ACC Tournament Championship. Beautiful.
Jonathan
Year 2001 Duke had just lost to Maryland and also lost Carlos Boozer with a broken bone in his foot. With little time to mourn they go into the Dean Dome and ran Carolina ragged thus propelling Duke to their third national title.
Matt
My favorite Duke vs. North Carolina moment came during the 2001 season. It was the last game of the year at Carolina and the Tar Heels seemed destined to win this Game. Carlos Boozer was out with an injury, a No. 1 seed was on the line, Duke had already lost to Carolina at home early that year, national television, etc. Duke threw in some quick three pointers and never looked back. I don't even remember the game being that close. We were ready to go get another National Championship. What a MOMENT!
Editor's Note: Exactly one week later, Duke defeated UNC 79-53 to win its third straight ACC Championship. Mike Dunleavy scored 24 points and Shane Battier 20 for Duke. Carlos Boozer had injured himself 10 days earlier against Maryland.
Chase
At the ACC Tournament in 2001, Carlos Boozer went down with an ankle injury and everyone thought that UNC would beat them but Casey Sanders stepped up and played solid and Jason Williams dominated the UNC guards and Duke won by 20, winning their third straight ACC Tournament and went on to win their third NCAA Championship.
Jerry
The blowout of the Heels in the ACC Championship when Jason Williams played
Rustin
I loved when we got revenge on UNC in the 2001 National Championship season after they beat us at Cameron. We went into Chapel Hill and won, and then blew them out in the ACC tournament championship. And we did it without Carlos Boozer!
Amar
My favorite moment was Duke beating UNC in the ACC Championship game in 2001, winning the ACC.
Charlie
When Duke blew out UNC at the ACC Tournament Championship game with Jason Williams, Boozer, Dunleavy, Battier, Nate James, and Co. after beating Maryland on a tip in. I remember Jason Williams putting in between his legs to Duhon who was trailing on a 2-on-1, and when Williams nailed a three from a mile away.
Joey
My favorite moment would have to be from the 2001-02 season when Duke beat the Tar Heels in the ACC Chamionship game. Later on they went and won the NCAA National Championship
Last season, Duke defeated North Carolina 75-63 in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Daniel Ewing led Duke with 19 points en route to an ACC Tournament MVP performance. Duke went on to beat N.C. State and win its fifth-straight ACC Championship.
Guy Morgan
My favorite Duke North Carolina moment is when duke handled North Carolina last year in the 2nd round of the ACC tournament. The reason why I liked it so much was because half way through the first half I did not have to worry about the outcome of the game.
Joey
When Duke completely embarrassed UNC last year in the ACC tournament after UNC had made that little run and got Sean May back and everyone was buzzing about them making it all the way to the NCAA tournament.
Jeff
I attended my first ACC Tournament last March. Duke beat North Carolina 75-63 in the semifinal. North Carolina thought they could catch Duke off guard by playing Sean May. But, it didn't work. Duke flat out dominated the game, which was over at halftime as Duke led 54-33. The North Carolina fans came into Greensboro Coliseum thinking they were going to win, then those fans were gone after the first half!
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballPLAYER
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballPLAYER
/ Men's BasketballCoach Scheyer Media Availability
Wednesday, September 24
Jon Scheyer Press Conference: Summer 2025
Tuesday, July 08
Duke vs Houston: Press Conference
Sunday, April 06
Duke vs Alabama: East Region Champions Press Conference
Wednesday, April 02
