After two close calls against in-state foes, Duke left no doubt in an 87-70 thrashing of North Carolina in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Three Blue Devils — Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor — scored more than 15 points in a balanced scoring effort.

The 19-year-old Kon Knueppel did not remember what he said to soothe the nerves of fifth-year transfer Sion James.  "Ummm, I don't really remember, but he seemed a little jacked up, a little nervous," Knueppel said after No.

Freshmen Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel made memorable debuts in the Tobacco Road rivalry as No. 2 Duke used a dominant first half to secure an 87-70 win over visiting