Duke vs. UNC: Tar Heels Will Stay the Course in Rivalry Clash with Blue Devils

If North Carolina is going to solidify a No. 1 seed in March, they are going to need perfection along Tobacco Road to get there. 

It's time for an epic rivalry to culminate once again. No. 9 Duke travels to Chapel Hill to take on their hated rival, the No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels. 

Both storied programs have had their fair share of futility this season. Duke is coming off a heartbreaking loss at home to the Miami Hurricanes, a team they have no business losing to in Durham. 

North Carolina has let up against lesser opponents this year as well. However, since their loss to Florida State in mid-January, the Tar Heels have railed off five wins and come into Wednesday's game the better team. 

The Tar Heels no doubt have talent and depth. Their issues have never been about athleticism, rather a commitment to play every single minute of every game. 

They let down mentally and it's been the impetus to some great games from the opposition. The Seminoles' Deividas Dulkys dropped 32 on them and UNLV's Chace Stanback had a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in a November upset. 

The good news is that North Carolina should have their heads on straight on Wednesday night. They will need every last bit of grit and determination to get past a very good Duke basketball team. 

Duke is giving up 69.1 per contest making them softer than usual iterations of this proud program. Harrison Barnes may still be nursing a sore ankle, but Duke's issues in providing consistent defense may win the day in the end. 

With a showdown at Duke to end the season, North Carolina needs to continue their momentum past this Tobacco Road showdown. 

The goal has been simple since day one: to lock down a No. 1 seed. That should be no problem with the amount of talent they have and their ability to control the boards when they want to. 

The only thing left standing in their way is a consistent will to win. Duke will challenge that all night in what should be an emotional battle. North Carolina can still lock down a prime seed in the tournament, they just have to want it more than any other elite team.