Duke vs. UNC: Which is the best program?

The Final Four matchup between Duke and North Carolina on Saturday feels like it is for all the marbles, but which program has been more successful?

The stage is set for an epic Final Four clash on Saturday night in New Orleans between Duke and North Carolina. Media coverage for the game will be unmatched as this contest feels like it will decide bragging rights for the entire state’s basketball pride for the next decade.

The rivalry between the two ACC superpowers is the fiercest in college basketball as both programs claim blue blood status in the sport. Each school can hang plenty of championship banners as well, but which program has actually been the most successful in the course of their history?

Does Duke or UNC have more all-time wins?

While neither school can claim the distinction for most all-time wins (Kansas recently passed Kentucky for that honor), the edge goes to North Carolina. Factoring in the 28 wins they have earned on their road to the Final Four, the Tar Heels have compiled 2,322 wins, which is the third-highest total in college basketball history.

Duke isn’t too far behind, checking in with 2,246 wins, which puts them in fourth place on the all-time list. No other program is even close to challenging the Blue Devils in terms of wins.

Does Duke or UNC have more NCAA Tournament Appearances?

The ledger is now 2-0 in favor of the Tar Heels since North Carolina has more tournament berths than Duke over the course of their history. This year’s March Madness appearance is the 52nd for North Carolina, which trails only Kentucky’s 59 bids for the most in college basketball history.

The Blue Devils find themselves in fifth place on the list with a solid 44 NCAA Tournament appearances. The two teams directly ahead of Duke are Kansas and UCLA, which each made 50 appearances in March Madness.

Does Duke or UNC have more trips to the Final Four?

This is the third consecutive category where the Tar Heels have an edge over Duke. North Carolina has been to the Final Four 21 times, which is the most in college basketball history and has an active streak going that has seen them reach the Final Four in nine consecutive decades. No other program has pulled off that feat for more than seven decades.

Duke is not far behind in this count either, racking up 17 Final Four appearances to rank third on the list in a tie with Kentucky. Both schools trail second-place UCLA by one Final Four appearance.

Does Duke or UNC have more NCAA Championships?

You can make it a clean sweep for the Tar Heels as they also have the edge on the Blue Devils in national titles. The margin in this category is far closer, however, as North Carolina’s six titles rank just one ahead of Duke’s five.

Krzyzewski is responsible for all five of Duke’s championships and can even the ledger with North Carolina himself by riding off into the sunset with another national title. That little factoid will add even more juice to what should be a stellar showdown in New Orleans on Saturday night.

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