Duke Makes Good on Jon Scheyer's Words Before North Carolina Game

Without Caleb Wilson, lost to the season with a broken right thumb, No. 17 North Carolina didn't have the star power to match No. 1 Duke.

Duke won the turnover battle 14-8, and despite being outshot 45 percent to 42 percent, was able to do enough in the paint to earn a 76-61 win in front of 9,314 fans at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils improved to 29-2 with the win. Duke appears ready to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Before the game, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer noticed that his defense had improved after losing to North Carolina on the road in February.

"Watching that game back, I think our defense is just in a much different place," Scheyer said, via Anna Snyder of the Fayetteville Observer. "Our defense has been there in different moments. 

"I think the defense, along with the offensive guys, is trusting the pass, playing to our strengths, being able to put it together on both ends. And that's ultimately what you have to do to be a championship team."

Duke lived up to Scheyer's words on Saturday, causing turnovers that doomed the Tar Heels. 

The Blue Devils have looked like a much different team since their loss to North Carolina, winning seven games in a row heading into the NCAA Tournament, including a victory over Michigan.

"They did a way better job than we did, especially in that second half of establishing the paint with a lot of post-ups and doing that," Scheyer said. "And then I think that led to good success for them once they established that."

Duke did the way better job on Saturday. The team can relax for a few days before playing again in the ACC Tournament.

The Blue Devils will next play on Thursday in the quarterfinal round.

Duke earned the No. 1 seed with a 17-1 conference record. They should be a lock to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens this week. 

If the defense shows up in the ACC Tournament, Duke should easily earn the No. 1 overall seed for March Madness.