Historic Duke vs. UNC Final Four has NCAA basketball media losing their minds

The North Carolina Tar Heels ended Saint Peter’s Cinderella run, and are now set to take on the rival Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four.

The North Carolina Tar Heels, the eighth-seed in the East Region, have not made it to the Final Four since 2017, when they last won the national championship. In Hubert Davis’ first season as Tar Heels head coach, they are heading to New Orleans.

On Sunday, North Carolina defeated the No. 15 Saint Peter’s Peacocks 69-49 to advance to the Final Four. Now, the Tar Heels will meet the Duke Blue Devils in a huge rivalry matchup with a spot in the National Final on the line.

College basketball media reacted to UNC-Duke facing off in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in history!

College basketball media reacts to historic Duke vs. UNC Final Four matchup being set

From the start of the game, the Tar Heels were in control, whereas the Peacocks were not. The writing appeared to be on the wall at the end of the first half, as North Carolina held a 38-19.

Junior forward Armando Barcot had an unreal showing against Saint Peter’s, as he scored 20 points (8-for-15 from field) and hauled in 22 rebounds. Senior forward Brady Manek scored 19 points of his own, making 4-of-6 shots from behind the three-point line.

This game between Duke and North Carolina carries historic implications. Ahead of the season, Mike Krzyzewski announced that he would be retiring as Duke head coach at year’s end. North Carolina has the chance to be the very team that ends Coach K’s career.

Whoever wins between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils on Apr. 2 will take on either the Villanova Wildcats or Kansas Jayhawks in the National Finals on Apr. 4.

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