Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum chased down North Carolina’s Luke Maye for a huge block early on Thursday night.
The Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels met for the first time on the year on Thursday night. With the hate that these two programs have for the other, there was plenty of energy on the court when the game began. Wanting to make an impact at home, Duke forward Jayson Tatum got the crowd loud early.
As North Carolina’s Luke Maye got out on the fast break looking for an early impact score, Tatum chased him down and blocked him. The incredibly athletic forward reminded everyone why players have to be vigilant with the basketball when he is near them.
need4gene: Tatum with a nice block to start things off ESPN College Basketball: North Carol… https://t.co/WAMguZh9fC pic.twitter.com/qBpTbrbv9Y
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) February 10, 2017
Tatum got the huge block and the fans in Cameron Indoor Stadium let their players hear it. The two sides traded baskets back and forth to begin the game as Grayson Allen hit a couple of threes for the Blue Devils.
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There isn’t a bigger rivalry in college basketball and when these two teams tipped off on Thursday night, the energy in the arena felt like a March Madness game. Tatum making plays like that is nothing new and it’s why he’s seen as one of the top prospects for the upcoming NBA draft.
The Tar Heels took an early lead on the Blue Devils, but the two sides clearly were headed toward yet another classic. Every classic needs star player making plays and Tatum was the man for Duke early.