Hubert Davis recalls memories from Duke-North Carolina showdowns

Hubert Davis has been a part of many great Duke-North Carolina games. A Tar Heel guard from 1989-92, he knows what the rivalry means better than most.

Following an NBA career, he returned to the UNC bench as an assistant coach in 2012, soaking up several more games next to Roy Williams. When Williams retired at the end of last season, Davis was named his successor. He now prepares for his first game as head coach against the Blue Devils at 6 p.m. ET Saturday.

Asked to look back on a matchup against Duke during his senior season in 1992, Davis obliged in his Thursday press conference.

“That was a long time ago,” he said. “A long, long time ago. It was an incredible game because you had tremendous talent. I don’t know the exact number of NBA players out there on the floor, but it was loaded with them. I remember Duke coming into that game undefeated at the time and the last time they had lost was against us in the ACC Tournament that previous year. I remember that was the first time they stormed the Smith Center floor. Like all the games, it was highly competitive, fun to play in and exciting to be a part of. But it was 30 years ago. …There is a lot that’s happened since 1992.”

Including Davis, the Tar Heels roster featured six future NBA players that season. The eventual national champion Blue Devils also had six, highlighted by Grant Hill and Christian Laettner. Although North Carolina won the first game on its home court, it would go on to lose to Duke twice before the season ended.

Duke enters Saturday’s contest ranked No. 9 in the final season of coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career. Meanwhile, the Davis-coached Tar Heels are an NCAA Tournament bubble team at 16-6. That includes 0-6 against quadrant 1 teams.

This year’s version of the rivalry will also once again feature loads of NBA talent, though most of it is one the Duke side. The Blue Devils have four players currently projected as first round picks according to CBS Sports, including freshmen Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin.

Can Hubert Davis lead North Carolina to a much-needed victory against Duke in his inaugural season? Or will Coach K get one more win at the Dean E. Smith Center?