- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Denver Today
By the People, for the People
North Carolina Faces Uphill Battle to Catch Duke
Tar Heels must overcome coaching change, Duke's top recruiting class, and transfer portal losses.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:36pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The intense rivalry between North Carolina and Duke is fractured into a cubist composition, reflecting the Tar Heels' uphill battle to regain their footing against the Blue Devils' recruiting and roster advantages.Denver TodayThe North Carolina Tar Heels are in a precarious position heading into the offseason, having fired head coach Hubert Davis after two straight first-round NCAA Tournament exits. The program has hired former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, but his ability to adapt to the college game remains a question mark. Meanwhile, Duke has assembled another top recruiting class, including five-star talents Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr., and Bryson Howard, potentially widening the gap between the two rivals. Additionally, North Carolina could lose key players to the transfer portal, while Duke is positioned to address its own frontcourt needs by pursuing Kansas star Flory Bidunga.
Why it matters
The rivalry between North Carolina and Duke is one of the most storied in college basketball, and the balance of power between the two programs has significant implications for the ACC and national landscape. North Carolina's struggles in recent years have allowed Duke to gain an edge, and the Tar Heels' current predicament threatens to further cement the Blue Devils' dominance in the near future.
The details
North Carolina's decision to part ways with Hubert Davis and hire Michael Malone as the new head coach introduces uncertainty about the program's direction. Malone has an impressive NBA coaching resume, but the transition to the college game could be challenging. Meanwhile, Duke's recruiting prowess has continued unabated, with the Blue Devils assembling another star-studded class that includes several five-star prospects. The potential loss of key North Carolina players to the transfer portal, coupled with Duke's ability to address its own roster needs through the same avenue, further compounds the Tar Heels' uphill battle.
- On Monday, North Carolina hired former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
- The transfer portal opened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The players
Michael Malone
The 54-year-old former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who led the team to their first NBA Championship in franchise history.
Cameron Williams
A five-star recruit in Duke's 2026 recruiting class.
Deron Rippey Jr.
A five-star recruit in Duke's 2026 recruiting class.
Bryson Howard
A five-star small forward recruit in Duke's 2026 recruiting class.
Flory Bidunga
A sophomore center at Kansas who has entered the NBA draft and transfer portal, making him a potential target for Duke.
What’s next
The Tar Heels will need to navigate the transfer portal and recruiting landscape in the coming months to try to close the gap with Duke, while also allowing Malone time to adjust to the college game.
The takeaway
North Carolina faces a significant challenge in its efforts to regain its footing in the rivalry with Duke. The Tar Heels' coaching change, Duke's recruiting prowess, and the potential for further roster upheaval through the transfer portal all point to a widening gap between the two programs in the near future.
