Up 16 midway through the 2nd half, the Blue Devils finally seemed destined to give us the Duke/UNC match-up that ESPN paid for when bid on the rights to the ACC Tournament. Unfortunately for everyone from ticket holders to corporate sponsors, Mike Brey, foul trouble, and inexperience with a comfortable lead all became too much for Duke to overcome.

We won’t get the dream Friday here in the Verizon Center, but at least we still have the Tar Heels who put in an outstanding performance against Pitt in the opener. Behind strong games by Brice Johnson and Joel Berry II, the Heels advance to play Notre Dame in a rematch of last year’s final. Thank God Carolina won, because with no North Carolina teams remaining and Red Panda already off of the halftime docket, we would have been out of here.

#ACCTourney night games about to start. TURN UP!!! pic.twitter.com/2Rrvw2inX8

— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) March 10, 2016