Well, sans tears, let’s talk about the significance of this final (again, scheduled, like, they could still meet in a later tournament potentially but ESPN really wants us to forget that notion so just go with it) bash between the crosstown rivals!

Duke needs this game for top seed consideration

While the Cameron Crazies will likely have broadway-level fanfare planned for the last home game of their legend Krzyzewski, projected 2-seed Duke can’t sleepwalk through this final meeting and expect a ‘W.’ Not if it wants a top spot in the bracket come Selection Sunday.

The Blue Devils have the roster to make a deep run in March as FOUR players are projected to be first-round picks in the NBA draft. Freshmen Paulo Banchero and AJ Griffin are both expected to be single-digit selections. Can they cap off the final season of Coach K’s prominence by cutting down the nets?

Coach K’s already won the all-time Duke-UNC battle

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said it best: “To put the Coach K era into perspective is a mammoth undertaking.” 

He’s led Duke to over 1,000 wins, 12 Final Fours, 5 national championships, 35 NCAA tournament berths and 15 ACC championships. And, maybe more importantly in Durham, Coach K owns the series against the rival Tar Heels, too, 50-46. 

A 10-mile drive with 1,000 miles of history … we can’t wait to see who gets the last laugh