Final Four Preview - Duke vs North Carolina
Breaking down the top NBA Draft prospects on Duke and North Carolina
After a wild couple of weeks filled with bracket-busting upsets and an amazing Cinderella run by Saint Peter’s, we’re down to four blue bloods competing for the national title in New Orleans.
Over the past 15 years, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas and Villanova have combined for seven NCAA titles and produced 63 first-round NBA draft picks.
Duke leads the pack with 23 first-round picks since 2007, and legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski could have as many as five top-30 picks in his final season in Durham.
The perfect ending to a legendary career would be for Coach K to win his sixth national title, followed by having five or even six Blue Devils selected in June’s NBA draft, with Paolo Banchero being the first name called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
For Coach K’s storybook ending, he’ll first have to get past rival North Carolina, which ruined his last home game in Cameron Indoor Stadium with a 94-81 defeat of Duke earlier this month.
Duke vs. Carolina is arguably college basketball’s best rivalry, and yet they’ve never met in the Final Four.
Rookie Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis would love to send his rival into retirement on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, we have two rosters with multiple NBA prospects, so here’s what I’ll be watching from an NBA draft perspective: