.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
Two sides and one area separated by a shade of blue.
The greatest rivalry in sports returns as No. 4 Duke makes the short trip down Tobacco Road to face No. 14 North Carolina at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill. Separated by a drive that takes less time than a single halftime break, these two programs have spent a century locked in a battle for regional and national supremacy.
Over the last 100 meetings, the record is remarkably close, with Duke holding a slight 54-46 advantage during that span. This level of sustained excellence is why the rivalry remains the gold standard, regardless of which legends have graduated to the rafters.
While names like Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner defined previous eras, tomorrow’s clash is headlined by the most anticipated individual matchup in decades. Duke’s freshman phenom Cameron Boozer and UNC’s high-flying star Caleb Wilson are both projected top-five NBA picks, marking the first time since 1989 that two prospects of that caliber have shared this stage simultaneously.
Both teams enter the game as championship contenders. Duke is the ACC frontrunner with a perfect 10-0 conference record (21-1 overall), while a much-improved North Carolina squad (18-4, 6-3 ACC) looks to protect its undefeated home court and close the gap in the conference standings.
As the bright lights of the Dean Dome descend, two blue bloods take the floor for the first of two meetings that will inevitably define their seasons and add another blood-and-blue chapter to the greatest story in basketball.
Follow along for live updates below.
WATCH: Stream Duke vs. UNC and other college hoops action on the ESPN App
Duke vs. UNC basketball score
Duke vs. UNC updates, highlights from 2026 college basketball game
4:54 p.m.: The Blue Devils don't need to worry about an overnight stay in Chapel Hill.
otw 🚌 pic.twitter.com/86bexqcdXo
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 7, 20264:01 p.m.: Usually when Duke and North Carolina face off, the teams are ranked.
This is the 88th time that both teams have a number next to their name. When comparing that to other matchups, it's not even close.
Best rivalry in sports. pic.twitter.com/YL6jXCG37M
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) February 6, 20263:15 p.m.: This isn't the only big game for Carolina fans this weekend: former quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots play in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday evening in San Francisco.
Maye had a special message for the team on ESPN's "College GameDay."
— Cole Adams (@coleadamss) February 7, 20262:30 p.m.: For the first time this season, the greatest rivalry in college basketball returns.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) February 7, 2026No. 4 Duke and No. 14 North Carolina are separated by 10 in the rankings, similar to how the schools are separated by a 10-minute drive.
Get ready for another chapter of the storied rivalry in Chapel Hill tonight.
MORE: March Madness Bracketology 1.0
Where to watch Duke vs. UNC basketball
Duke vs. UNC start time
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 7
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
The ranked matchup between No. 4 Duke and No. 14 North Carolina will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The teams meet at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with the return matchup next month in Durham.
What channel is Duke vs. UNC on?
The Blue Devils and Tar Heels can be found nationally on ESPN on Saturday evening. ESPN's "College GameDay" will be on site starting at 10 a.m. ET, with Rece Davis joined by Jay Williams, Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, and Andraya Carter. For the game itself, Dan Shulman will be on play-by-play with Jay Bilas providing color commentary and Kris Budden reporting from the sidelines.
Fans looking to stream the game can do so via the ESPN App.
English (US)