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Duke Basketball: In the big picture, Saturday’s game means very little

By Kevin Connelly

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils watches his team during the second half of their game at against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 71-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils watches his team during the second half of their game at against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 71-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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When the Duke Basketball team heads to Chapel Hill for a rematch with the North Carolina Tar Heels, the game will mean very little, especially if Zion Williamson doesn’t play.

It’s a rivalry game. It’s a revenge game for one team. It’s a chance for one team to sweep the regular season series. It’s Duke and Carolina, but with two teams in the Top-5, the game won’t have that much of an impact on NCAA Tournament seeding if Zion Williamson won’t play.

The Tar Heels romped the Blue Devils in Durham when Williamson went down in the first 30 seconds and North Carolina has continued its roll, while the Blue Devils have stumbled and struggled without the potential National Player of the Year.

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If Virginia were to lose to Louisville at home on Saturday, this game between Duke and North Carolina would be for the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament, elevating this to a game of much more importance.

However, that won’t be the case and Virginia will roll the Cards at home. That means this game between Duke and Carolina would be for the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds for the ACC Tournament, and is there that much difference between the two?

Honestly, what’s the difference? Two and a half more hours of rest for the No. 2 seed should both teams advance to the semi-finals?

That’s why this matchup, especially without Williamson in the lineup for Duke wouldn’t mean much in trying to differentiate the two teams in the argument for who should get a No. 1 seed.

Should things hold serve, the potential matchup on Friday, March 15 between Duke and North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament would mean so much for the two teams since Duke is expecting to have Williamson back for the ACC Tournament.

While a Duke vs. North Carolina game will always mean a lot to all of those involved, the regular season finale won’t have much impact in regards to the ACC or NCAA Tournament.

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