Duke 82-50 END OF GAME: That's a wrap. Your 2010 ACC regular season champions - the Duke Blue Devils. Duke finishes undefeated (17-0) at home and we'll be back with the senior speeches in just a few minutes.
Duke 80-47, 2:36 remaining SECOND HALF: The Cameron crowd is going nuts as Jon Scheyer exits for the final time, replaced by Davidson in his first action of the game. Krzyzewski was very emotional giving Scheyer one final hug.
Duke 78-45, 3:47 remaining SECOND HALF: The Tar Heels just caught up to Singler and Smith's combined point total on a putback jumper from Deon Thompson. Zoubek's back on for a curtain call, and it should be smooth sailing for Duke from here on out. Let's just hope no one gets hurt. The one surprise tonight has been no Jordan Davidson sighting, even though it's his last home game.
Duke 73-43, 6:21 remaining SECOND HALF: That's the happiest I've ever heard a crowd after their captain fouled out, but Lance Thomas got a raucous ovation after sending Henson to the floor for his fifth foul of the night.
Duke 73-39, 8:19 remaining SECOND HALF: Duke looks to be tiring on offense, but the defense is as staunch as ever. Larry Drew II is having an absolutely miserable game for North Carolina. He missed a fastbreak layup with over nine minutes to play, and on the ensuing possession, fell in the paint, leading to yet another Tar Heel turnover.
Duke 67-35, 11:46 remaining SECOND HALF: Nothing new to say for the Blue Devils or the Tar Heels. Carolina has absolutely no production from its guards, and Zeller, Thompson and Henson are the only players doing anything. Meanwhile, Duke's big three, all perimeter players, has combined for 56 points. At this point, it's only a question as to when Coach K empties his bench, or when Roy Williams does, for that matter.
Duke 57-31, 15:44 remaining SECOND HALF: Duke has pretty much picked up where it left off. Freshman John Henson is the only real source of offense for the Tar Heels in this half, but Duke is moving the ball well and finding open looks--the Blue Devils just aren't hitting them. Zoubek has two good finishes around the basket in this half to account for all of Duke's scoring.
Some halftime stats: Singler--19 points, Smith--16 points, Scheyer--11 points and seven assists
Duke 53-26, END OF FIRST HALF: It's just too easy for the Blue Devils at this point. Smith is getting into the lane on nearly every possession, Zoubek is grabbing offensive boards left and right, and Duke seemingly can't miss from long range. The Blue Devils would have a 30-point lead if not for shoddy transition defense to end the half, allowing Marcus Ginyard to sink a three from the elbow as time expired.
Duke 40-21, 3:45 remaining FIRST HALF: Travis Wear just turned the ball over, leading to a thunderous fast break dunk from Smith to give the Blue Devils their biggest lead of the night. Ol' Roy better have some halftime tricks up his sleeve, because his Tar Heels will be hard-pressed to dig themselves out of this hole.
Duke 38-19, 5:18 remaining FIRST HALF: The Blue Devils responded to that timeout well. Singler missed an off-balance shot in the lane, but Zoubek got the rebound and found a wide-open Scheyer at the top of the key for yet another 3-pointer.
Duke 35-19, 6:03 remaining FIRST HALF: Duke's leading by 16, but head coach Mike Krzyzewski is fuming at his team's defense over this stretch. The Tar Heels have been getting into the lane with ease, including a Deon Thompson putback on his own jumper that caused the Blue Devils to call time. Carolina has found a flow on offense, but it still faces a huge uphill battle.
Duke 28-9, 9:49 remaining FIRST HALF: Duke is running away with this one early. After Andre Dawkins hit his first 3-pointer at home since Jan. 27 against Florida State, Smith converted for three-point plays twice on fast breaks off of careless UNC turnovers. Smith and Singler are both in double figures before Carolina.
Duke 19-6, 11:49 remaining FIRST HALF: The Blue Devils are enjoying some hot shooting from beyond the arc. All of Duke's 12 points before the first media timeout came on threes, two from Scheyer and one apiece from Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler. Singler's scored all of the Blue Devil's points since that first break, including a nice hook shot in the lane over Graves and another three from the top of the key. He's outscoring North Carolina at this point, 10-9.
STARTERS:
North Carolina
John Henson
Deon Thompson
Marcus Ginyard
Larry Drew II
Will Graves
Duke
Brian Zoubek
Kyle Singler
Nolan Smith
Lance Thomas
Jon Scheyer
MORE PREGAME: We've just honored the four seniors and their parents: Jordan Davidson, Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Jon Scheyer. This place was rocking with Davidson and damn-near inaudible by the time Scheyer was recognized. We're about five minutes away from the tip.
A number of recruits and commits in the house, including Kyrie Irving and Josh Hairston of the Class of 2011.
PREGAME: We're here at Cameron Indoor Stadium about an hour before tipoff for game you've all been waiting for, No. 4 Duke against North Carolina in the final game of the season. North Carolina may be unranked, but this game does have ACC title implications. Coming into today, Maryland and Duke were tied atop the conference with three losses apiece. The Terrapins took care of business earlier against Virginia (minus Sylven Landesberg) so the Blue Devils need a win to earn a share of the ACC crown, and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
The Crazies really love their "N-I-T" chants.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.