For the first time in more than 35 years, Dick Vitale did not call the Tobacco Road Rivalry Feb. 18. And despite the charismatic broadcaster's requests on social media, he will once again not be in the broadcast booth when Duke and North Carolina meet at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill next Saturday.
According to several reports, ESPN announced via press release Saturday afternoon that Vitale will once again not be calling the storied rivalry, with play-by-play man Dan Shulman and analyst and former Blue Devil Jay Bilas getting the nod again. Shannon Spake will be the sideline reporter for the contest, which will also be the regular season finale for both teams.
The decision comes just a little more than a week after ESPN received a huge amount of backlash for removing Vitale from the broadcast team for the first matchup and has already incited several angry reactions from fans on social media. But despite Vitale's absence, the first matchup between Duke and North Carolina was another classic and was the most-watched college basketball game of the season.
Many will miss hearing the iconic broadcaster's voice when the teams meet again next week, but if the first contest was any indication, the Blue Devils and Tar Heels are ready to keep the rivalry going regardless of who is on the court, or who is commentating.
Keep up with the Blue Zone for all your Duke basketball and team news as the No. 4 Blue Devils wrap up the regular season.
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