Hubert Davis gives surprising take when discussing his approach to rivalries

One of the most iconic rivalries in the history of sports resides in the state of North Carolina, and it is on the hardwood between UNC and Duke basketball. UNC and Duke are separated by just ten miles apart across Tobacco Road, and the two schools are consistently battling against one another on both the ACC and national level.

In addition to Duke, UNC has another in-state rivalry with close proximity, this one being with NC State. All three schools between UNC, Duke and NC State are within a few miles of each other, and that’s a big reason for the rivalries between them.

But to UNC head coach Hubert Davis, the concept of rivalries isn’t something he spends much time on. He treats every game the same, and completely dismissed the idea of there being any added juice UNC’s rivalries.

“I don’t spend any time with that. I have tremendous respect for all the coaches and programs and universities, and I like competing against everybody,” Davis said. “It just doesn’t matter. The way I grew up and the way that I was taught is that when you cross the line, it’s live action.

“So whether it’s NC State, College of Charleston, Duke, Ohio State, once you cross over the line it’s real. The realness doesn’t get higher depending on a different opponent. It can’t get any higher, because it’s at the highest level for me whoever we play. That’s just the way I’ve always approached basketball as a player and as a coach.”

Davis, UNC don’t prepare any differently for rivalries

Davis surely has plenty of experience in basketball, both in the professional and now collegiate ranks as both a player and a coach. Rivalries are no stranger to him, but he has always prepared for them the same way. And he tries to ensure that UNC’s players prepare the same way.

“I don’t know and I don’t really care,” Davis said when asked if players view rivalries any differently than he does. “That’s of no benefit or importance to us. Our focus is on getting better and being the best that we can be in whatever game that we play. So right now our focus is on a really good Boston College team and our preparation to see if we can play our best game of the year on Tuesday night. Then on Saturday we play NC State and then Saturday we play Syracuse.

“That’s just the way that I approach things. I always talk to the guys about what is real and what allows us to be the best team that we can possibly be, and that’s our preparation, our practice, and how hard we play.”

UNC faces off against Boston College on Tuesday before the in-state rivalries begin. The Tar Heels then host NC State on Saturday, UNC faces the Wolfpack again in mid-February. The Carolina-Duke rivalry kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 4, and those two teams face off again on Saturday, March 4 to wrap up the regular season.

None of UNC, NC State or Duke are ranked in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll, but the Wolfpack are the closest to cracking the rankings, sitting in the No. 26 spots and four votes out with 111 total. NC State currently sits at 14-4 overall, including 4-3 against ACC opponents. Duke fell out of the top 25 this week, receiving 24 total votes. The Blue Devils are 13-5 overall and 4-3 in ACC play. UNC is 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the ACC, receiving one vote in this week’s voting.