Weekend preview: Duke, North Carolina collide again
Channel: Spider Nest
Date: 04/03/2017

Weekend preview: Duke, North Carolina collide again
As far as the power conference races are concerned in college basketball, the final weekend of the regular season isn’t long on drama.
There are some exceptions, of course, and some matchups will draw an audience regardless of outside implications. Here are the story lines that should generate the most interest.
Game of the weekend
No. 14 Duke at No. 5 North Carolina, Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
No added incentives are needed when these two get together, but both teams have a few nonetheless. The Tar Heels were stymied at Virginia on Monday and still need this victory to claim the ACC regular-season title outright. The Blue Devils are still facing some health concerns but got a needed victory Tuesday against Florida State. A sweep of UNC would improve Duke’s position even more when the NCAA committee considers their seed next week.
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The Blue Devils were getting contributions from nearly everybody when they got by the Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium last month. UNC coach Roy Williams is hoping for more balance and a better rebounding effort this time.
Player to watch
Dererk Pardon, Northwestern
Yes, it is spelled Dererk. Since it is now etched in Wildcats’ lore forever, you’ll want to make sure you have it right. The 6-8 forward’s catch and finish of a perfect 90-foot pass from Nathan Taphorn to beat Michigan on Wednesday night might just have locked in the Wildcats’ first NCAA invitation.
But Pardon and his teammates wouldn’t mind adding another quality win to the resume just in case. They have that opportunity Sunday to close out the regular season as they host No. 16 Purdue (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Boilermakers don’t intend to make it easy for them, however, as a Purdue win clinches first place and the top seed in the Big Ten tournament.