Final Four battle for the ages
Duke and North Carolina matchup in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the schools' histories.
On Saturday, Duke and North Carolina will battle in a Final Four for the first time ever. Let that sink in for a moment.
The greatest rivalry in sports is about to be renewed on the biggest stage in college sports — the NCAA Final Four. For the very first time.
The Blue Devils and Tar Heels obviously meet twice in the regular season every single year and there have been 23 battles in ACC Tournament action. Those games clearly ramp up tension and in the grand scheme of things most of those games are more about bragging rights for fans.
This one is much, much more.
You want to talk about anxiety? Look into the eyes and at the face of a diehard Duke or North Carolina fan at any point this week and behind that smile and excitement for the Final Four is an emotional meltdown waiting to happen.
Duke and North Carolina — for a chance to play in the national title game. That’s enough right there to emit butterflies. Add to the fact it’s Mike Krzyzewski’s final season as head coach, and the restlessness leading up to and through the game will be at a level unmatched for either fan base.
After all, this is Duke and North Carolina playing for a chance at the biggest prize in college hoops.
That is where the focus should be, at least if there’s a desire to maintain some semblance of sanity.