Jon Scheyer doesn't want North Carolina game to be the 'Super Bowl' for Duke

This weekend’s trip down Tobacco Road will look as different as any edition ever has. After seasons of watching Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams roam the sidelines in the rivalry between Duke and North Carolina, Jon Scheyer will make his debut as head coach in college basketball’s premier rivalry against Hubert Davis.

Even so, Scheyer says he’s taking a different approach than some may think to the Blue Devil’s game this weekend. While it’s important to people in the state and to people across the sport, he doesn’t want his team to feel like it’s the only thing that matters this season.

“I don’t want to make this out to be the Super Bowl for us,” said Scheyer in an ESPN interview. “It’s a big game. It’s great to be in this game and all that but I know there’s a bigger picture – win or lose.”

After last season’s matchup in the Final Four, this rivalry is as alive as ever. With the Tar Heels spoiling Krzyzewski’s final game in Cameron Indoor and ending his legendary career in New Orleans, plenty of Duke faithful would love to see Scheyer start 1-0 in his time in the series.

Still, Scheyer is purposely taking some of the hype away from the game. While these battles matter historically, he thinks they only matter in the sense of being a part of their season. In his mind, he thinks some of their next few games in the ACC are just as important as Saturday’s.

“Our intention, just like them? I know both of us want to win. And that’s what makes it a special thing. But we have a game 48 hours later against one of the best teams in our league in Miami on the road,” Scheyer said. “That’s the nature of the beast and what we have to be ready for.”

All eyes will still be on ESPN this weekend at 6:30 p.m. EST when the Blue Devils and Tar Heels take the floor in Durham. Even so, Scheyer is trying to give his players a healthy helping of perspective ahead of what will once again be a massive clash.