The electric atmosphere inside the Dean E. Smith Center on February 8, 2026, was nothing short of legendary as the No. 14 North Carolina Tar Heels hosted the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils for the 266th installment of college basketball’s most storied rivalry. With both teams ranked and the stakes sky-high, fans from Chapel Hill and beyond tuned in for a primetime showdown that truly delivered on the hype.
Entering the game, North Carolina was hungry to snap a three-game losing streak against Duke—a bitter pill, especially after the Blue Devils had swept the Tar Heels in all three of their matchups during the previous season. The Tar Heels, led by head coach Hubert Davis, also carried momentum from a four-game winning streak, including a recent 87-77 victory over Syracuse. Star freshman Caleb Wilson, who notched 22 points and nine rebounds in that game, was front and center in the pregame buzz.
Duke, meanwhile, arrived in Chapel Hill boasting a near-perfect 21-1 record (10-0 ACC) and riding a 10-game winning streak, with their only loss coming against Texas Tech back in December. The Blue Devils’ own star freshman, Cameron Boozer, was making waves nationally as a frontrunner for National Player of the Year honors, averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and four assists per game. Boozer had just led Duke to a 67-49 win over Boston College, tallying 19 points and 12 rebounds, and was looking to add another chapter to his already impressive season.
The anticipation was palpable, with ESPN College GameDay broadcasting live from the Smith Center earlier that morning. Fans packed the arena for both the morning show and the evening’s main event, eager for another unforgettable clash between these two blue-blood programs. For those unable to attend in person, the game was widely available via ESPN and streaming platforms, while radio listeners could catch every moment on 97.9 FM, 1360 AM, and various streaming services.
As tip-off approached, the starting lineups featured the names everyone expected. For UNC: Derek Dixon, Seth Trimble, Jarin Stevenson, Caleb Wilson, and Henri Veesaar. Duke countered with Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr, Cameron Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba II. Both teams were at full strength, with no key injuries reported in the hours leading up to the game.
The Blue Devils wasted no time seizing control, jumping out to a 14-5 lead in the first six minutes and dominating the glass. By halftime, Duke led 41-29, shooting a blistering 53 percent from the field and outrebounding the Tar Heels 22-11. Dame Sarr chipped in 13 points on perfect shooting, while Boozer had 10 points in the first half. North Carolina, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with Wilson carrying the offensive load and Henri Veesaar limited by early foul trouble and a brief injury scare.
But if there’s one thing fans have learned from this rivalry, it’s to never count out the Tar Heels on their home floor. After trailing by as many as 13 points, UNC clawed their way back in the second half. Caleb Wilson continued to shine, finishing with a team-high 23 points—17 of which came in the first half—and Veesaar found his groove, adding 10 crucial points after halftime. The Tar Heels tightened up defensively, forcing Duke into tough shots and capitalizing on turnovers.
Still, Duke looked poised to escape Chapel Hill with another win. Boozer, seemingly unstoppable after halftime, poured in 15 of his 24 points in the second half, notching his 12th double-double of the season. With just over three minutes remaining, the Blue Devils held a 66-62 lead, and the tension inside the Smith Center was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Then came the final, frantic moments that will be replayed in Tobacco Road lore for years to come. UNC, refusing to go quietly, mounted a furious 9-0 run to close the game. With the score tied at 68 and under a minute to play, Duke’s Boozer missed a critical layup, giving the Tar Heels a chance to write their own ending. After a timeout with 10.6 seconds left, Seth Trimble—who had already been instrumental all night—took center stage. Derek Dixon found Trimble in the corner, and with just 0.4 seconds remaining, Trimble buried a three-pointer to send the Smith Center into absolute bedlam. UNC led 71-68, and after a final defensive stand, the Tar Heels had done the improbable.
Trimble finished with 16 points, but none more important than his game-winning shot. "It’s a moment you dream about as a kid," he said postgame, his voice barely audible over the roar of celebrating fans. According to ESPN, "Seth Trimble knocked down a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to give the Tar Heels a dramatic win over their in-state rival."
The win was monumental for North Carolina, not only ending Duke’s 10-game winning streak but also halting their own three-game skid against the Blue Devils. It also marked the 266th meeting between the two programs and the 88th time both teams were ranked, adding yet another classic to a rivalry that has defined college basketball for generations. UNC improved to 19-4 overall (7-3 ACC), while Duke fell to 21-2 (10-1 ACC).
The individual battles were just as compelling as the team drama. Boozer’s 24 points and 12th double-double of the season kept Duke in the fight until the end, while Wilson’s all-around brilliance reminded everyone why he’s projected as a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The last time this rivalry featured such high-profile freshmen was in 1989, when J.R. Reid (UNC) and Danny Ferry (Duke) both went in the top five of the NBA Draft.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels will travel to Miami for their next contest on February 10, while Duke heads to Pitt that same evening. But make no mistake—this night belonged to Chapel Hill. With a raucous home crowd, a buzzer-beating hero, and the sweet taste of revenge, North Carolina proved that in the world of college basketball, anything can happen when the blue bloods collide. The two teams will meet again on March 7 in Durham, and if this game was any indication, fans are in for another treat.
As the confetti settled and the echoes of the final buzzer faded, one thing was clear: the UNC-Duke rivalry is alive and well, and its latest chapter is one that Tar Heel fans won’t soon forget.