Duke vs UNC: Austin Rivers' Sister Puts Him in Awkward Spot vs. Biggest Rival

Nothing is worse than your sister dating your rival and Duke freshman Austin Rivers is realizing as much tonight.

His sister Callie is dating North Carolina junior Dexter Strickland and has placed herself in the middle of the fiercest rivalry in all of college basketball. The two teams have a mutual respect for each other, but the hatred and passion to win this game is like no other in the regular season.

Rivers may be playing in his first ever Tobacco Road rivalry tonight, but it’s pretty clear he didn’t want to talk about this awkward predicament with the Charlotte Observer:

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It’s a different situation. I don’t think it’ll matter to her; I think she’ll just support us both…I try to stay out of my sister’s stuff.

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This is the perfect story for this rivalry and the only question that remains is if she plans on wearing one of those jerseys that is half powder blue and half royal blue.

She has been spotted at Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Smith Center multiple times this season and I’d assume she’ll be featured front and center tonight.  

Callie was a volleyball player at the University of Florida from 2007-10, and is the daughter of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. She brings an interesting little side note to the game that I’m sure the ESPN broadcasting crew will mention at least five times.

A similar family situation has been created with the Hensons. John is one of the best players for the Tar Heels while his sister Amber is a member of the Blue Devils’ women’s team.  

It’s a real shame that Strickland is out for the season with an injury because the two guards would have been matched up against one another on multiple occasions tonight. You can bet both players would be taking it strong to the hole to win the ever-important bragging rights.

I guess we’ll have to wait until next year…that is if Rivers returns to school.