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Caleb Love waves goodbye to Duke fans in Cameron Indoor Stadium

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•11/10/23•

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Zachary BonDurant | USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Love didn’t hesitate to taunt Duke fans after No. 12 Arizona stunned No. 2 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After the Wildcats sealed the win, the senior guard waved goodbye to Duke diehards.

In the win, Love tallied 11 points, three rebounds and three assists while shooting 3-10 from the field and 1-5 from beyond the arc. While Love ultimately walked away with the win, he faced a few struggles along the way. The 6-foot-4 standout committed a game-high six turnovers in the victory.

Love transferred to Arizona in May after spending three seasons at North Carolina. Love averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in his final season with the Tar Heels, who finished seventh in the ACC with an overall record of 20-13.

Love paid homage to his former university after the game.

“I’m a Tar Heel for life,” Love told the press in the locker room. “Regardless of our differences or what happened in the past, I still got love for Tar Heel nation.”

Caleb Love’s long history against Duke

Love had no shortage of run-ins with Duke while at UNC. In seven games against the Blue Devils, Love averaged 17.7 points on 38.9% shooting and finished with a 4-3 record at UNC. Love’s most memorable performance against Duke was in the 2022 Final Four when he dropped 28 points, including a clutch 3-pointer.

After Friday night, Love can add another tally to his win column against the Blue Devils. Ahead of the game, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was well aware of Love’s history versus his team.

“Caleb’s a big-time player. We’ve obviously seen him a bunch, but he’s capable of some big-time games,” Scheyer said. 

“I think playing with other weapons around him – the way that’s set up – is very conducive for him. It’s gonna be a tough game with him. He’s always ready to shoot, he’s really good at passing the ball as well. You get him in the open floor, he’s explosive … similar to what he did at North Carolina. He’s always been a very difficult player to guard. I expect no differently (Friday).”

Scheyer’s expectations were correct. Love tallied 12 points, three rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes in Arizona’s season-opening win over the Morgan State Bears. Love won’t have long to soak in his team’s massive triumph.

On Monday, the Wildcats will hit the hardwood again to face off against the Southern Jaguars at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.