The Tobacco Road Rivalry will have its third edition of the NCAA season during the ACC tournament semifinals. After defeating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by a score of 68-59, the North Carolina Tar Heels secured a date with their rivals, the Duke Blue Devils, hoping to avenge their regular season losses. Ahead of the marquee matchup, guard RJ Davis sent out a strong message, warning Cooper Flagg and the rest of the program in Durham.
The ACC tournament is reaching its decisive stages, with Duke and UNC having to battle it out in the semifinal for a ticket to the championship game. Both schools had to weather the storm during their quarterfinal matchups, catching a glimpse of the toughness required to prevail over the rest of the league.
While Duke faces critical hours regarding Flagg’s ankle injury and Maliq Brown’s absence, North Carolina is coming off a statement win over #4 seed Wake Forest, after rallying from an early 14-3 deficit in the game.
RJ Davis put on a clinic in Charlotte, leading his team with 23 points, including five three-pointers. None bigger than the three drained in with 2:43 minutes left, extending UNC’s lead to four-points. After the game, as he was interviewed on the court, Davis made something clear to Flagg, Jon Scheyer and everybody at Duke about their upcoming showdown.
RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
“This is who we wanted. They got us two times, so third time’s the charm, let’s do it,” Tar Heels guard RJ Davis stated, during his postgame interview on ESPN.
see also
Duke HC Jon Scheyer makes bold, discouraging statement about Cooper Flagg’s injury ahead of March Madness
The biggest rivalry in college basketball is so entertaining fans will get to enjoy it for the third time in one season, when the Blue Devils and Tar Heels meet on the court at Spectrum Center at 8pm EST.
Out for revenge
There is a common sentiment towards No. 1 Duke coming out of North Carolina’s locker room, and it’s primarily based on their thirst to avenge their regular season losses, as well as looking to spoil Duke’s preparation for the NCAA tournament.
“We want that competition. We want our revenge,” Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin said about meeting the Devils again. “So, just give us another opportunity to get a win against them, play a really great team. Just to give us a chance to play in the championship.”
Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils warms up prior to the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Will Flagg play for Duke?
Cooper Flagg exited Duke’s quarterfinal matchup against Georgia Tech with an ankle injury and was unable to return to the game. While it appears the injury wasn’t as serious as initially feared, it’s improbable Flagg can play against the Tar Heels on March 14th.
see also
Cooper Flagg leaves Duke game with injury: What we know so far ahead of March Madness
“It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow. That’s not the most important thing for us. I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider seeing if he can go,” Scheyer stated. “He may not be able to go anyway. He probably won’t be able to go anyway. But I think it’s a real longshot. I am going to have to be convinced by everybody in the locker room that he should go back and play.”
