Duke Vs North Carolina Basketball All Time Record
There are few rivalries in sports that can match the intensity of Duke vs North Carolina basketball. The two schools are located just eight miles apart and have been playing each other since 1920. The rivalry has produced some of the most memorable moments in college basketball history, including buzzer-beaters, epic comebacks, and thrilling overtime victories.
The All-Time Record
As of the end of the 2020-2021 season, Duke and North Carolina have played each other a total of 252 times. North Carolina currently holds the edge in the all-time series with a record of 139-113. However, Duke has been more successful in recent years, winning 14 of the last 23 matchups.
The Early Years
The first matchup between Duke and North Carolina took place on January 24, 1920. North Carolina won the game 36-25. For the next several years, North Carolina dominated the series, winning 16 of the first 18 matchups. However, Duke began to turn the tide in the 1930s and 1940s, winning 14 of the next 17 games.
The Dean Smith Era
The rivalry between Duke and North Carolina reached new heights during the tenure of North Carolina head coach Dean Smith. Smith, who coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, led North Carolina to two national championships and 13 ACC titles. During his tenure, North Carolina won 36 of their 45 matchups against Duke.
The Mike Krzyzewski Era
Since taking over as Duke's head coach in 1980, Mike Krzyzewski has turned the Blue Devils into one of the most successful programs in college basketball history. Krzyzewski has led Duke to five national championships and 12 ACC titles. He has also had a great deal of success against North Carolina, winning 42 of the 100 matchups between the two schools during his tenure.
Notable Games
The Duke vs North Carolina rivalry has produced countless memorable games over the years. Here are a few of the most notable:
- February 2, 1974: In one of the most famous games in the history of the rivalry, North Carolina's Walter Davis hit a last-second jump shot to give the Tar Heels a 96-92 victory over Duke.
- March 10, 1984: In the ACC Tournament championship game, Duke's Johnny Dawkins scored a then-record 55 points to lead the Blue Devils to a 77-75 victory over North Carolina.
- February 5, 1992: In a game that has become known as "The Shot," Duke's Christian Laettner hit a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer to give the Blue Devils a 104-103 victory over North Carolina.
- March 6, 2005: In one of the most thrilling comebacks in college basketball history, North Carolina overcame a 16-point deficit with just over eight minutes remaining to defeat Duke 75-73.
- February 8, 2012: In another buzzer-beater, Duke's Austin Rivers hit a three-pointer as time expired to give the Blue Devils a 85-84 victory over North Carolina.
The Future of the Rivalry
The Duke vs North Carolina rivalry shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Both schools have talented rosters and excellent coaches, and their matchups are always among the most highly-anticipated games of the college basketball season. Fans of both schools will continue to pack arenas and watch on television as the Blue Devils and Tar Heels battle it out on the court.