North Carolina (25-3, 13-2) vs. Duke (22-4, 11-4)
Chapel Hill, N.C. - Dean E. Smith Center
Sunday, 4 p.m., CBS (Jim Nantz and Billy Packer)
PREGAME NOTES
First Meeting Vs. UNC: Despite 23 turnovers, despite 21% 3pt shooting, despite an
ineffective outing from then-leading scorers Rashad McCants and Jawad Williams, despite
the sweltering heat of Cameron Indoor and despite those raucous Cameron Crazies -- the Tar
Heels had a chance to win. A late comeback came up just short as the final possesssion
went awry and UNC lost, 71-70.
Sean May had a game-high 23 points and 18 rebounds.
Season To Date: Considering the lack of depth and injuries this season, Duke has
exceeded expectations in 2004-05. They ran through a non-conference slate that included
Oklahoma and Michigan State without a loss and have put together an 11-4 conference record
with their losses coming twice to Maryland, once to Wake Forest and a stunning upset at
Virginia Tech. Depth is an important asset in college basketball, but it isn't essential
and Duke has proven that -- taking three stars (J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams and Daniel
Ewing) and filling in the rest of the spots with role players and freshmen.
Containing Redick: J.J. Redick is the conference's top scorer, leading the ACC with
22.8 points per game, while also connecting on more three-pointers and free throws than
anyone in the ACC. His stats against UNC, however, have been well below par. In five games
against the Tar Heels, he's shot 34.4% (20-58) from the field and 34.8% (15-43) on
three-pointers.
Shelden vs. Sean: While some might make a case for Eric Williams at Wake Forest,
most agree that Shelden Williams and Sean May are the two best post players in the
conference. Both are averaging double-doubles and are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the
ACC rebounding leaders. Head to head, though, May has had the advantage over the last
three matchups, with 17.3 ppg and 18.0 rpg in comparison to Williams' 12.3 ppg and 8.7
rpg. Williams has the clear advantage in the shotblocking category, though, as he's
averaging a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game and had five earlier this season against
the Heels.
Series: This is the 219th meeting between the two schools, with Carolina holding a
123-95 advantage. Duke has won 15 of the last 17 contests, including the last four in a row.
Projected Starters:
5 Daniel Ewing (6-3, 185, G, Sr.) – 15.3 ppg, 3.8 apg
4 J.J. Redick (6-4, 190, G, Jr.) – 22.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg
13 Lee Melchionni (6-6, 205, F, Jr.) – 7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
30 Reggie Love (6-4, 225, Sr.) - 2.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg
23 Shelden Williams (6-9, 250, C, Jr.) - 15.5 ppg, 11.4 rpg
Key Reserves:
21 DeMarcus Nelson (6-3, 195, G, Fr.) – 6.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg
42 Shavlik Randolph (6-10, 240, F, Jr.) – 4.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg
14 David McClure (6-6, 205, Fr.) - 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Duke Info
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Redick
Ewing ... Williams
Melchionni ... Randolph