UNC vs. Duke: Viewing Info and Predictions for Rivalry Showdown

As different as this one feels, the same rules apply to Wednesday's Duke-North Carolina showdown. 

Everything goes out the window.

North Carolina (18-7, 8-4 ACC) is in a bit of trouble as it plays from behind in the ACC, while Duke (22-3, 9-3 ACC) seems to be hitting its stride at just the right moment—but these things tend not to matter when the two sides get together.

Just digest a nugget from ESPN Stats & Info for good measure:

Two of the nation's better offenses figure to produce another close affair despite the somewhat lackluster buildup.

One of the sporting world's top rivalries doesn't need hype, anyway.

Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina

When: Wednesday, February 18, 9 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Preview

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Before diving into the deep end with the red-hot Blue Devils and the cooling Tar Heels, understand that this contest in particular has a different feel to it because of other factors.

Take the shocking absence of legendary announcer Dick Vitale for example, who confirmed he will not call the contest for the first time in 36 years:

The game will entertain either way, but Vitale's absence just lends to the strange feel around it.

North Carolina is not doing much to help.

Roy Williams' team is in a bit of a free fall at this point as losers of three of its last four. Off-court struggles aside (such as the passing of legendary coach Dean Smith), the Tar Heels have not looked right since starting 7-1 in ACC play.

The latest example came on Valentine's Day in an ugly road loss to unranked Pittsburgh, a team that sits in eighth in the ACC with a .500 mark in ACC play.

There, Marcus Paige and others shot 26.7 percent from downtown while the Panthers bullied their way down low to help shoot 64.9 percent from the field.

"That was their 'A' game," Paige said, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "We didn't bring ours, anywhere close to ours. They needed a big win. They saw this as a great opportunity and took advantage of it."

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

That performance in particular is a major red flag when compared with Duke's form right now. 

The Blue Devils are winners of five straight, and the last time they laced up at Cameron Indoor Stadium in front of a friendly crowd, they blew away then-No. 10 Notre Dame in 90-60 fashion. Jahlil Okafor missed just two attempts from the field and poured in 20 points while grabbing 10 boards in that rout.

More recently, Okafor was at it again in a 80-72 win against Syracuse, scoring 23 points with 13 rebounds and joining some prestigious names in program history in the process, per ESPN College BBall:

"

Jahlil Okafor became the 4th freshman in Duke history with double-digit 20 point games » pic.twitter.com/Qo0Sy74BLg

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) February 15, 2015"

Okafor, along with Quinn Cook (14.8 points per game), is the main reason the Blue Devils rank eighth in scoring at 80.3 points per game and sixth in field-goal percentage.

Wednesday, the physicality of the showdown beneath the rim will dictate whether North Carolina pulls off the upset or if Duke wins in a predictable manner.

Prediction

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The hinted strength-weakness dynamic favors Duke. 

To be blunt, Duke is simply the better team at this stage of the season. The secret to the five-game streak does not come from offense, but defense, considering no opponent has shot better than 46.4 percent against the Blue Devils in that span. In Duke's three losses this season, all three opponents (North Carolina State, Miami and Notre Dame) shot better than 50 percent from the field.

Thanks to a new fire on the defensive end of the court and Okafor's ability to exploit any defense beneath the basket—but especially one weak in that regard—the Blue Devils will have few issues sending the home crowd home with ear-to-ear smiles.

Just know that the two will tango again at the beginning of March to close the season.

Prediction: Duke 84, North Carolina 76

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.