RJ Davis says Kyle Filipowski apologized for hit to head

North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis shared that Kyle Filipowski of Duke apologized to him for an incidental hit to the head late in the game on Saturday.

The play would be reviewed by the referees, but no technical was assessed to Filipowski and after the game, Davis said he didn’t think it was a cheap shot.

“Nah [it wasn’t a cheap shot], because he apologized after,” Davis said while holding a bag of ice to his face. “I don’t think he meant it.”

Even with that, broadcaster Jay Bilas thought the contact would be worth a technical.

“Well same thing it wouldn’t be a flagrant one, it would be a dead ball, non-contact technical, but it’s the same result,” Bilas said. “North Carolina would get an additional couple of free throws. But I don’t see, considering it was above the shoulders and contact with the head it’s hard to argue that was necessary contact. That’s unnecessary.”

North Carolina and Duke is one of college basketball’s great rivalries and it does have plenty of physical play when the two play. Battling for rebounds is part of the game, and it’s no surprise it got physical late in the game.

Another incident between the two occurred when they were trying to box one another out late in the game. The two locked arms and Davis got called for a foul. He also came off worse in the battle, getting injured and needing to leave the game briefly.

That play then became controversial when the referees reviewed the play and ended up upgrading Davis’ foul to a technical for holding Filipowski’s arm. Fans were upset with the call and the broadcast initially had trouble seeing what was getting called, though from one angle they showed it appeared to be the right call. Still, fans weren’t happy and it gave Duke free throws and possession late in the game.

RJ Davis finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and five assists. For his part, Filipowski had 22 points and five rebounds.

UNC coach Hubert Davis doused in locker room celebration after Duke win

Following the rivalry win over Duke, North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis was doused in the locker room while the Tar Heels celebrated the win.

Caleb Wilson posted a video of the celebration on social media. In it, North Carolina players surround Davis and can be seen pouring water on him and jumping around.

TARHEEL! pic.twitter.com/tXCxvOlULL

— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) February 4, 2024

With the win, North Carolina moved to 18-4 on the season and 10-1 in ACC play. That’s first in the conference with a two-game cushion over Virginia. Still, there are still nine conference games to go this season, including a road game against Duke.

First, the Tar Heels will turn their attention to their next game against Clemson.