Duke Announces Major Boost Hours Before Tipoff Against UNC
The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils are looking to close out their impressive 2024-25 college basketball regular season with a win over the arch-rival North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday night.
Jon Scheyer's Duke squad has been dominant over the last few weeks, notching blowout wins in each of their last seven games.
The Blue Devils mounted this red-hot win streak despite the absence of key rotational player Maliq Brown, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in Duke's 80-62 win over the Virginia Cavaliers on Feb. 17.
Brown has missed each of the Blue Devils' four games since this injury. But on Saturday evening, Duke shared the news of Brown's return with an announcement on social media.
"Maliq Brown update. Active tonight vs. UNC," the team wrote on X.
Brown joined Duke as a highly-touted transfer this past offseason. The 6-foot-8 forward began his collegiate career with two seasons at Syracuse before making his way to Durham for Year 3.
Brown recorded six points, eight rebounds, four steals and one block in Duke's 83-54 win over Syracuse on Feb. 5. He's averaging 2.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in his first campaign with the Blue Devils.
Clemson Tigers guard Chase Hunter (1) is fouled by Duke blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) near Duke forward Cooper Flagg (2), left, during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Ken Ruinard/USA Today Network via magn Images
Duke is listed as a 10-point favorite over the home-team Tar Heels in Saturday night's rivalry matchup. The Blue Devils took home victory in the first matchup of the rivalry series earlier this year, notching a dominant 87-70 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Saturday night's game will tipoff at 6:30 p.m. EST in Chapel Hill.
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