Duke vs. UNC: Score, Highlights and Takeaways

It was a "Tale of Two Styles" between North Carolina and Duke in the latest edition of college basketball's most storied rivalry.

On the one hand were the Tar Heels, a team replete with size in the middle, skill on the perimeter and future NBA stars at just about every spot on the court. On the other were the Blue Devils, a tremendously talented bunch in their own right, but one predicated more particularly on pressure defense, forcing turnovers and hitting outside shots.

With all that aside, the 233rd edition of the Tobacco Road detente came down (as always) to grit, guts and determination, with Duke emerging victorious, 85-84, with a thrilling comeback capped by a three at the buzzer by Austin Rivers.

The latest battle of blue bloods was a fascinating affair throughout. Carolina dominated in the paint and on the boards throughout thanks to Tyler Zeller and John Henson, who combined for 35 points and 28 rebounds. Roy Williams' Twin Towers battled brilliantly on the inside with Mason and Miles Plumlee, who managed just 11 total points against the length of the Heels' inside men but still managed to pick up 17 boards and this monstrous block on Kendall Marshall. 

Duke, though, managed to keep its head above water by virtue of its talented backcourt, led by freshman sensation Austin Rivers. With his father and Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers looking on, Rivers put together the finest game of his collegiate career, scoring 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including the game-winning trey in the closing seconds over Zeller's outstretched arm. He, Seth Curry and Ryan Kelly, the latter two of whom chipped in 15 points apiece, led a late barrage to help the Dukies erase a 10-point deficit in the final 2:17.

This, despite UNC looking like the bigger, better team for the vast majority of the game. Aside from the stellar contributions of Zeller and Henson, the Heels hauled in virtuoso performances by point guard Kendall Marshall (14 points, eight assists) and star wingman Harrison Barnes (25 points).

Still, perimeter play proved to be the difference in the game. Duke was able to neutralize UNC's distinct advantage on the interior with 14 three-pointers, compared to just one long-range make for the Tar Heels. As good as Carolina's guards were offensively, their defensive effort was patently subpar, which only accentuated their team-wide complacency down the stretch.

Both teams clearly have plenty of work in the weeks leading up to March Madness. Austin Rivers was fantastic, though he still has a ways to go before he truly finds his comfort zone in Mike Krzyzewski's system. Wednesday night's breakthrough could prove to be the moment that propels him onward and upward to a fantastic freshman-year finish, or it could boost his confidence to such a level that he becomes an even more vacuous black hole on the hardwood for Duke.

Coach K will also need better play in the middle out of the Plumlees, both offensively and defensively. The Dukies can't count on their three-balls going down as frequently as they did at the Dean Dome, and when they don't, it'll be up to the Flying Plumlees to spark the team from the inside out.

As for Carolina, to see a team with so much talent and experience struggle so mightily down the stretch is nothing short of stunning, especially on their home court.

For whatever reason, the Heels got away from their bread-and-butter, their inside game, and resorted to operating from the perimeter, thereby allowing Duke to apply pressure at the point of attack. It's incumbent upon Roy's boys to stay true to their strengths at all times if they're to deliver on the national-title promise with which they came into the 2011-12 season.

More importantly, Carolina's defense remains a work-in-progress, to say the least. Forget about Duke shooting under 40 percent from the field—the Blue Devils had their run of the gym from the outside, particularly around the three-point arc. That sort of paltry perimeter defense won't stand if the Heels hope to win the ACC and make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.

All told, though, Wednesday night's game was yet another classic in a 92-year rivalry marked by great players and memorable moments. Expect another fantastic affair when these two Tobacco Road foes meet on March 3rd at Cameron Indoor Stadium in their regular-season finale.

Chances are, the ACC title, along with the usual braggin' rights, may well hang in the balance. 

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