Duke vs UNC ends on Trimble dagger as rivalry shifts to March rematch

The latest Duke vs UNC chapter delivered a classic finish Saturday night in Chapel Hill, where North Carolina erased a 12-point halftime deficit and won 71–68 on a Seth Trimble last-second three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. The result snapped Duke’s 10-game winning streak, tightened the ACC race, and set up an immediate sequel: a UNC vs Duke basketball rematch in Durham on March 7.

For Duke coach Jon Scheyer and UNC coach Hubert Davis, the ending was a reminder of how quickly the Duke Carolina game can flip—especially when fouls, free throws, and late-game shot-making decide the final two minutes.

Duke score: UNC 71, Duke 68

North Carolina led for exactly the final 0.4 seconds, but that was enough. Trimble finished with 16 points and hit the game-winner on his only made three of the night. Freshman forward Caleb Wilson powered UNC early and throughout, scoring 23 points while going 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Center Henri Veesaar added a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double, helping UNC control key possessions after intermission.

Duke got 24 points and 11 rebounds from Cameron Boozer, but the Blue Devils’ second half was defined by frontcourt foul trouble and a missed opportunity at the end before Trimble’s shot. Duke still left Chapel Hill at 21–2 overall and 10–1 in league play, while UNC improved to 19–4 and 7–3.

Why the game turned after halftime

Duke dominated the first half, leading 41–29 while shooting efficiently and forcing UNC into tough possessions. After the break, the game shifted into a stop-and-start grind, with whistles impacting rotations and rim protection. North Carolina’s offense opened up when it found easier looks inside and pushed pace selectively, and the Tar Heels’ defense did enough to turn Duke’s possessions into contested finishes instead of clean kick-out threes.

The final stretch was pure rivalry chaos: UNC ripped off a late run, Duke answered, and the last possession became a one-shot story. Trimble’s pull-up three—taken with confidence and no hesitation—capped the comeback and sent the Smith Center into a court-storming delay.

Caleb Wilson, Boozer, and the freshman spotlight

If the night belonged to Trimble’s shot, it also underscored how much this rivalry is being shaped by new faces.

• Caleb Wilson (UNC): The first-year forward played like a primary option, scoring 23 and creating pressure at the rim and on the glass.

• Cameron Boozer (Duke): Boozer carried Duke’s scoring load when the offense bogged down, finishing with 24 and 11 despite tight coverage late.

• Isaiah Evans (Duke): Evans remains an important spacing and scoring piece in Duke’s rotation, and his shot-making will loom even larger in the rematch if UNC collapses the lane to crowd Boozer.

The Boozer storyline adds another layer: Cameron Boozer and freshman guard Cayden Boozer are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and both have become major talking points in Duke basketball discussions throughout the season.

Duke basketball schedule: next up, then back to UNC

Duke doesn’t have long to sit with the loss. The Blue Devils return to ACC play with road and home tests that will shape seeding before March. UNC, meanwhile, will try to prove the win wasn’t a one-night peak but a springboard.

Here’s the clean rivalry snapshot and what’s next (all times ET):

With the rematch set, the chess match is already obvious: UNC will want to stay aggressive defensively without gifting Duke a parade to the line, while Duke will look for cleaner late-game offense and more reliable secondary scoring around Boozer.

What it means for Scheyer, Davis, and the ACC race

For Hubert Davis, the win is both résumé fuel and a confidence jolt—especially with Seth Trimble emerging as the type of fearless closer every contender needs. For Jon Scheyer, it’s a film-room game: the first half showed Duke’s ceiling, the second half exposed how quickly foul trouble and stalled spacing can shrink options.

The rivalry doesn’t just decide bragging rights; it affects rankings, ACC positioning, and potential postseason paths. And with the Carolina Duke game headed to Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 7, the pressure will flip: Duke will be at home, UNC will be chasing the sweep, and the margin for error will be even thinner.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Duke Athletics, UNC Athletics, Atlantic Coast Conference