Tobacco Road rivalry continues for Duke, UNC

PATRICK SCHNEIDER / KRTCampus Duke guard Jason Williams scores against the University of Maryland. Duke faces rival University of North Carolina today.

Many believe the best rivalry in the Atlantic Coast Conference has switched to Duke University and the University of Maryland. However, people along Tobacco Road will beg to differ.

Throw the rankings out the window. Statistics, wins and losses — those can go, too. None of those things matter when it comes to the heated college basketball rivalry between Duke and the University of North Carolina.

Today, the Blue Devils make the eight-mile journey to Chapel Hill as the No. 1 team in the nation, posting an 18-1 record, which matches the best start in school history. Duke comes into the game having beaten four nationally ranked teams in a row.

Jason Williams has continued his domination as the premiere player in the country, leading the ACC in scoring. Teammate Carlos Boozer has been on a tear, averaging 23 points over the last six games. Add Mike Dunleavy's versatility and shooting ability and the defense and athleticism of Dahntay Jones, and you'll realize why this might be the best starting five ever at Duke.

On the other side, the Tar Heels have struggled. After embarrassing losses at home to Hampton University and Davidson College, UNC has managed to continue its mediocrity with a 6-11 record, including six losses at home, the most home defeats in a season in the Tar Heel's storied history. However, UNC is coming off a positive 87-69 win against Clemson University Sunday.

Carolina has lacked consistency this season. Injuries and inexperience have been the main cause. With Jason Capel back from injury, the Tar Heels are better (or at least should be). He and Lang combine to make up the inside force. Because both have not been healthy at the same time a lot in the last two seasons, the two have yet to play as they did their freshman year. Adam Boone had a career game against Clemson with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Melvin Scott also gave UNC a lift with 17 points against the Tigers. Coach Matt Doherty will need that kind of production from its back court again today. Although, that might be a hard thing to ask going against the best back court in America in Williams and Chris Duhon.

Today's game marks the 210th time the two rivals have faced off. Carolina holds the series advantage with an 122-87 record, but Dukes has won seven of the last eight meetings, including the last three in Chapel Hill.

A season ago, the Blue Devils won two of the three meetings with the Tar Heels. In the first game, UNC shocked Duke on its own court, winning 85-83 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke got revenge, winning 95-81 in the Dean Dome and 79-53 in the ACC Tournament finals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

What does all this mean? Absolutely nothing. This game isn't about who has the best team or best record. It's not about who has the most All-Americans. It's about two teams whose fans and students hate one another. It's about who comes ready to play. But most of all, it's about pride.

I have been lucky enough to personally witness several of these battles at the Dean Dome in recent years. Sure, Duke is favored to stomp the Tar Heels (which is fine with me). But if I have learned anything about this rivalry, it's this: Anything can happen, so expect the unexpected.

Drew Wilson is a sophomore SMAD major who would like to thank one of his teachers for scheduling a test today, preventing him from driving to Chapel Hill to watch his Blue Devils whoop UNC in the Dean Dome.