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Jay Bilas Calls Out Jay Williams for Tar Heel Chant on 'College GameDay'
The former Duke players had a tense exchange ahead of the big UNC-Duke matchup.
Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:55pm
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During a 'College GameDay' broadcast from Chapel Hill, former Duke guard Jay Williams started a Tar Heel chant, much to the dismay of his fellow Blue Devils alum Jay Bilas, who called him a 'suck up' in response.
Why it matters
The Duke-UNC rivalry is one of the fiercest in college sports, and any show of allegiance to the opposing team, especially from a former player, is seen as a major betrayal among fans. This exchange highlights the intensity of the rivalry and the passion it evokes, even among the players themselves.
The details
Williams, who played for Duke from 2000-2002, was standing next to Bilas, another former Blue Devils player, when he unexpectedly started a Tar Heel chant. Bilas, speaking on behalf of many Duke fans, quickly rebuked Williams, calling him a 'suck up' for the gesture.
- The incident occurred during the pregame 'College GameDay' broadcast on Saturday, February 7, 2026, ahead of the highly anticipated Duke-UNC matchup that evening.
The players
Jay Williams
A former Duke basketball player who played for the Blue Devils from 2000-2002.
Jay Bilas
A former Duke basketball player and current college basketball analyst for ESPN.
What they’re saying
“What a suck up.”
— Jay Bilas, Former Duke basketball player and ESPN analyst
What’s next
The highly anticipated Duke-UNC matchup is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with both teams looking to gain an edge in the fierce rivalry.
The takeaway
This exchange between two former Duke players highlights the intense passion and loyalty that exists within the Duke-UNC rivalry, where even the slightest show of support for the opposing team can be seen as a betrayal by fans. It underscores the deep-rooted nature of this longstanding college basketball rivalry.
