Analysis: Duke vs. UNC

Big-time players make shots in big moments, and it doesn't get much bigger than last night for Austin Rivers.  You knew once the clock hit about 4 seconds that Rivers was not going to pass the ball.  And he delivered in a big way for Duke, getting a huge road win.

What a series of events for Tyler Zeller in the last minute.  Zeller dominated in the first half, and was the main reason why UNC was able to stay in it early.  But in the last minute: Zeller makes 1 of 2 free throws, Zeller accidentally tips in a ball that counts as two points for Duke, Zeller makes 1 of 2 free throws, Zeller is caught guarding Rivers and gives up the final shot.

The truth of the matter is that UNC should never have lost this game.  There was no point in the second half up until the very end that I thought that Duke was going to win.  The Tar Heels made a great defensive adjustment at halftime to really shut down the three point shooters and force them to go inside.  Harrison Barnes got hot in the second half and started hitting everything.  Everything was going the Tar Heels' way.

But you have to put away the Blue Devils when you have the chance.  Where was Barnes in the last five minutes?  Where was John Henson?  It is not often that you see Carolina get rattled in their own building, but it happened.

So what does this all mean?  For one, it throws the ACC race into a big jumble.  Especially with Florida State's surprising loss to Boston College.  Duke still has some issues to address, but they have a very real chance at winning the league, since they get UNC at Cameron later this year.  Duke's schedule plays out pretty favorably, with a road game at Florida State the only likely loss.  Carolina has a tougher road, with two games against Virginia, and road games at Miami and NC State.

Just like Coach K questioned Duke's mental toughness on Sunday, Roy Williams might be questioning his team's mental toughness now.  If you have that much talent as Carolina does, you have to be able to finish games like that.