UNC Basketball vs. Duke: Game preview, info, prediction and more

No. 18 North Carolina will play its final regular-season game against the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils.

The Tar Heels are coming off a close, gritty 67-64 win over Clemson on Senior Night at the Dean Smith Center in what was Seth Trimble’s last home game as a Tar Heel throughout his four-year career in Chapel Hill. Luka Bogavac powered UNC’s offense with 20 points and it was just enough to get the Tar Heels past Clemson’s vaunted defense.

Now, Carolina turns its attention to Duke, and the Blue Devils are looking for revenge.

The Tar Heels stunned No. 4 Duke 71-68 in a thriller at the Dean E. Smith Center, a game that had just about everything. North Carolina senior guard Seth Trimble drilled a corner 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left for the game-winner, capping a furious comeback and setting off bedlam. The Tar Heels trailed for 37:39 and didn’t take their first lead until Trimble’s shot.

However, Caleb Wilson, who scored 23 points in the last meeting, is questionable as he continues to nurse an injury. To make matters worse, Duke has gotten hot since its loss to Carolina.

The Blue Devils has won seven straight games, including ranked wins over then-No. 20 Clemson, then-No. 1 Michigan and then-No. 11 Virginia, scoring more than 90 points three times and 100 twice.

Read below for all the information for Tuesday night’s game.

Key to Victory

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – JANUARY 24: Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels blocks a shot attempt by Johann Gruenloh #17 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half of a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 24, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

Win the war in the paint.

The Tar Heels were outrebounded 38-26 and outscored in the paint 36-22, and that was with Wilson. UNC will need to crash the boards, and of course, contain both Cameron Boozer and Patrick Ngonnba.

What to Watch Out For

Henri Veesaar.

The Estonian big man scored just 13 points in the last game, but all of them came in the second half, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 1:40 left. However, he will be needed more than ever.

For starters, Wilson is out for the time being. Second, Veesaar will be the focal point of the offense because of that absence. Finally, he has to help Carolina in the paint against a formidable Duke frontcourt.

Statistical leaders

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) celebrates after a three point basket against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Points

UNC: Caleb Wilson (19.8)

Duke: Cameron Boozer (22.6)

Rebounds

UNC: Caleb Wilson (9.4)

Duke: Cameron Boozer (10.0)

Assists

UNC: Kyan Evans (2.7)

Duke: Cameron Boozer (4.0)

What you need to know

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with forward Caleb Wilson (8) after hitting the winning basket in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (24-6, 12-5 ACC) vs. Duke (28-2, 16-1)

WHEN? Saturday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET

WHERE? Dean Smith Center (21,750) in Chapel Hill

TV? ESPN

RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 193)

LINE? N/A

LAST MEETING? North Carolina 71, Duke 68 on Feb. 7, 2026

ALL-TIME SERIES: North Carolina leads all-time series 146-120

UNC basketball 2025-26 schedule

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates with guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

October 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)

Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)

Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)

Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)

Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)

Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)

Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)

Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)

Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)

Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)

December 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)

Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)

Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (W, 80-62)

Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)

Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (W, 71-70)

Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (W, 99-51)

Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W 79-66)

January 3, 2026: at SMU (L 97-83)

Jan. 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (W 87-84)

Jan. 14, 2026: at Stanford (L 95-90)

Jan. 17, 2026: at California (L 84-78)

Jan. 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (W 90-69)

Jan. 24, 2026: at Virginia (W 85-80)

Jan. 31, 2026: at Georgia Tech (W 91-75.)

Feb. 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (87-77)

Feb. 7, 2026: vs. Duke (W 71-68)

Feb. 10, 2026: at Miami (FL) (L 75-66)

Feb. 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (W 79-65)

Feb. 17, 2026: at NC State (L 82-58)

Feb. 21, 2026: at Syracuse (W 77-64)

Feb. 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (W 77-74)

Feb. 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (W 89-82)

March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (W 67-64)

March 7, 2026: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)

March 10-14, 2026: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Duke preview, info, prediction and more

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