North Carolina is 9-0 in true road games, the last undefeated team on opposing floors. It walks into Cameron Indoor Stadium as a loathed rival, slight favorite and massive ACC litmus test. UNC-Duke is always a good time, but it’s best when both sides are nationally ranked. Thursday night’s blue bash is Picasso-approved.
How to watch No. 8 North Carolina at No. 16 Duke
The Tar Heels hit their penultimate game as winners of seven straight. Five of those were by five or fewer points, and Sunday’s double-digit comeback at Louisville was tense. Courtney Banghart’s team grinds out close games and triumphs in the turnover margins. First-year Lanie Grant is coming off a shocking breakout moment. She had scored just two points in three of her five previous games but dropped 19 at Louisville to save UNC.
The team is paced by a trio of seniors — perimeter shooter Lexi Donarski, inside-out talent Alyssa Utsby and paint presence Maria Gakdeng. Utsby’s versatility in playmaking and on the glass leads to a full box score and a thorough highlight reel:
And sophomore Reniya Kelly is heating up, averaging 15.3 points per game in February. At 13-3 in their conference, North Carolina is one game behind NC State and two behind Notre Dame in the ACC standings.
Duke is right behind them,…
