UNC and Duke have their highest rated one and dones squaring off.
In the last 75 years, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils recruited some of the most coveted high school basketball stars. But the blue bloods took different paths under Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski.
Duke had 26 one and done players from Corey Magette in 1999 to Cameron Boozer who is expected to be the third pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Carolina had only 8 players selected after one year, with Caleb Wilson projected to be the No. 4 pick this spring.
It is quirky that the two rivals have their two highest draft picks facing each other in the first of two games this season, Saturday night at the Smith Center. And while both teams have additional talent, Boozer and Wilson will likely determine the outcome. The 6-9 Dukie and 6-10 Tar Heel are at the top of the ACC scoring and rebounding statistics and will continue their rivalry in the NBA.
Both programs have continued their fierce competition, long after their Hall of Fame coaches have retired and turned their teams over to proteges. Smith retired in 1997 and has since been followed by Roy Williams and five more national championships, the same number Coach K won in 42 years.
But through their conference titles and domination of the ACC, they have proven the recruiting and coaching have worked equally well. Duke began signing players who want to turn pro as soon as possible with names and early NBA first-rounders like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero and Cooper Flagg. Carolina got known for more team ball that influenced great players like Charlie Scott, James Worthy, Michael Jordan and Tyler Hansbrough to stay three or four years when they could have gone much earlier.
While the names on the back of college jerseys are as idolized as any sports, the school logos on the front of Carolina and Duke remain brands for their alumni and fans. And for the players who aren’t necessarily stars, their contributions from the benches or as role models will remain part of their lives.
Each school may have their own pressure for these two classics and are expected to put their hearts and souls into what are the highest rated games with millions of sports fans on ESPN for the first Saturday nights in February and March.
Whatever happens in postseason tournaments may mean something different and result in more than scholarships these days; there are reasons why viewers who may not be diehard sports fans will be turned in to see what might happen and what has happened when the Blue Bloods keep the pace no matter who is playing or coaching.
Whatever decisions are out there that might ultimately decide why athletes go where they go and do what they do. Duke and Carolina are still living to the same standards and will be forever.
Featured image via Todd Melet
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.
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Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.
