WATCH: JJ Redick reveals favorite Duke-UNC memory

Former Duke guard JJ Redick, who just retired following a successful 15-year NBA career, has plenty of fond memories playing in the Duke-UNC rivalry, arguably the best such rivalry in college basketball.

Redick was a star in his time at Duke, as the Cookeville, Tennessee native was named to four ACC teams in as many seasons — one-time third-team All-ACC, one-time second-team All-ACC and two-time first-team All-ACC — and even won two ACC Player of the Year awards before he was selected in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft. And of all the Duke-UNC memories he made over the years, his favorite came during his senior year.

“My favorite memory I had came during my senior year, going into the Dean Dome. I dropped 35, we got the W. I think I had 24 in the second half, including some big threes down the stretch,” Redick said with a smile, appearing on SportsCenter before Duke and UNC face off in the Final Four. “It’s alright, though. For all you Carolina fans, you guys got me back a couple weeks later when you beat me on my Senior Night.”

“This rivalry,” Redick said, “it means so much to the fans obviously, but to everyone who got to participate as a player or coach in this rivalry, it is just an absolute treat.”

Following a successful Duke and NBA career, Redick has since jumped into a role covering the NBA for ESPN. But this week, Redick’s mind may be more focused on college than the professional level.

After Duke won its Elite Eight matchup in Coach K’s final year and earned a matchup against UNC in the Final Four, Redick quickly took to Twitter — reinforcing his Duke pride.

“I’m gonna be insufferable for the next week,” Redick said.

Jay Bilas: Duke has played like best team in NCAA Tournament

Former Duke Blue Devil and current ESPN analyst Jay Bilas did not have his alma mater making it this far in the NCAA tournament. He was one of many people who lost faith in the Blue Devils after a mediocre performance in the ACC tournament. But Bilas is still a Blue Devil through and through and understands how the program and coach Mike Krzyzewski operate. So, on Monday, while a guess on the Dan Patrick Show, the former Blue Devil was up to the task of going over their performance in the tournament so far.

“… So, your point about growing up before our eyes, I think they probably did some growing up in practice when they got back from Brooklyn from the ACC tournament. But they’re playing, like if you were blindfolded the whole year and dropped into the postseason only, in the NCAA tournament just watched tournament games, like I would say they’ve looked the best of any team in the tournament. Like nobody’s played consistently as well as they have through the four games that have been played, said Bilas.

Duke has been better than advertised this season, aside from a few blemishes this year. Led by Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore, who average 17.1 and 13.5 points per game, respectively, the 2021-22 Duke Blue Devils have amassed a 32-6 record and exceeded expectations, despite amounting pressure. Much of that pressure, of course, is tied to the fact that this will be Coach K’s final season at Duke, ending a historic 42-year run — and he believes that this team is special because of their ability to fight through adversity.