Joe Lunardi addresses seeding impact of second Duke vs. North Carolina game

The regular season will end for both No. 7 North Carolina (23-6, 15-3) and No. 9 Duke (24-6, 15-4) with one last matchup down eight miles of Tobacco Road. Now, ahead of that Top-10 rematch in Durham this weekend, we know what’ll be at stake for both squads.

Joe Lunardi has the Tar Heels as a No. 2 seed and Duke as a No. 3 seed in the most recent update to his Bracketology for the NCAA Tournament. However, as he said at halftime of Texas vs. Baylor on ESPN last night, this game will be for rights to a potential No. 2 seed. It’ll just depend on how it and the bracket for the ACC Tournament shakes out.

“We’re talking about a No. 2 seed here, Seth, maybe for both Duke and Carolina,” said Lunardi.

“Duke needs a win to get there. The Tar Heels, I don’t think, would drop off the two-line with a loss,” Lunardi explained. “That would leave it all up to the ACC Tournament and maybe a rubber game between the two.”

In general, though, that makes this outcome more important for Duke. North Carolina has been among the top seeds for some time now. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils just recently reached the status of a No. 3 seed after having won three straight and eight of their past nine.

With that being the case, Lunardi says this is more about Duke. Their floor is already a No. 3 based on their recent play. Their ceiling, though, could be up to a No. 2 if they secure the rivalry’s second matchup in Cameron Indoor.

“The Blue Devils, right now? Their seed is only rising and I don’t see it falling again before Selection Sunday,” Lunardi said.

North Carolina won the first game in Chapel Hill back on February 3rd by a final score of 93-84. Besides an early, two-point lead for Duke, UNC led from start to finish and by as much as 15. Success from three, the foul-line, and in assists vs. turnovers helped them do so. Armando Bacot (25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) and Harrison Ingram (21 points, 13 rebounds, four steals) also both went for 20-point double-doubles in the nine-point win.

The Blue Devils had three 20-point scorers in their starting lineup, including 23 and 11 assists for Jared McCain. However, even paired with an 18-point edge in the paint, it wasn’t enough inside the Dean Dome.

Duke vs. North Carolina will come with its usual pomp and circumstance on Saturday. That includes College GameDay in the morning before they take the floor for tip at 6:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. Then, in their respective season finales, both will be looking for what they hope will be their 25th win in order to make some of their final impressions on the selection committee.