What has been a turbulent regular season for the UNC men’s basketball team finally came to an end on Saturday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, as the Tar Heels had their three-game winning streak snapped with an 89-76 loss to the rival Duke Blue Devils.

This marks the first time since 2015 that Duke (25-6, 15-5 ACC) has swept the season series against the Tar Heels (13-18, 6-14 ACC), and the largest margin of victory for the Blue Devils against UNC since 2013.

Much like in the first meeting between the two rivals this season—an overtime thriller that went down to the buzzer at the Dean Dome in February—it was Duke sophomore point guard Tre Jones shining brighter than anyone else on the floor.

Jones ended the night with 21 points and a game-high 11 assists, while also spearheading a defense which held the Tar Heels to just seven assists on their 29 made baskets. In addition, Jones was the primary defender on UNC point guard Cole Anthony—who was forced into tough shot after tough shot and limited to just nine points.

Duke sophomore point guard Tre Jones left his imprint all over the Blue Devils’ win over UNC on Saturday night, finishing with 21 points and 11 assists. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

With Jones controlling the perimeter, freshman sensation Vernon Carey Jr. was a force to be reckoned with in the paint for the Blue Devils on his way to a team-high 25 points.

UNC was led by another strong game from junior forward Garrison Brooks, who had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Armando Bacot also added a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Brandon Robinson’s 11 points represented the third, and final, player to score in double figures for head coach Roy Williams.

“I thought that Vernon [Carey] was sensational,” Williams told reporters afterwards. “Tre [Jones] dominated the game by his leadership out there. And passing the ball, making the free throws when he got fouled—I think he was 10 for 10. Eleven assists. That’s a fantastic game for a point guard. And he’s about as good as any [we’ve] played against all year, for sure.”

The Tar Heels never held the lead at any point during the game, but did tie the score late in the first half and cut the deficit to just one point midway through the second half.

Every time UNC got close, however, Duke continually found answers. Whether it was Jones or Carey making a huge play or any of the four three-pointers hit by little-used senior Justin Robinson, the Blue Devils did everything in their power to keep the Tar Heels from pulling off an upset.

As a result, UNC finishes the year in a tie for last place in the ACC and will begin the conference tournament next week as the No. 14 seed—the lowest in the entire event.

The only thing that can keep the Tar Heels from missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 is winning five games in five days in Greensboro, something no ACC team has ever done before.

“It’s frustrating,” Williams said. “But it’s what it’s been quite a bit of this season.”

Up Next:

UNC will begin play in the ACC Tournament on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. with a game against No. 11 seed Virginia Tech.

Game Notes:

  • Garrison Brooks became the first Tar Heel to score at least 20 points in six straight games since Tyler Hansbrough back in the 2008-09 season.
  • This completed the first losing season for Roy Williams in 32 years as a head coach, 17 of which have come at UNC.

 

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

 

Cover photo via Associated Press

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