College basketball power rankings: Duke, North Carolina climb ahead of massive rivalry to end regular season

Saturday’s showdown between Duke and North Carolina is shaping up as an epic clash with an ACC regular-season title, bragging rights and NCAA Tournament seeding position all on the line. Both teams are also on the rise in this week’s power rankings after strong recent showings, and their quality play only adds to the intrigue of college basketball’s best rivalry.

North Carolina has won five in a row and will win the ACC outright with a victory. But if Duke wins, the teams will share the crown and enter the conference tournament with their season series tied at 1-1. The Blue Devils have looked particularly strong since their loss at Wake Forest on Feb. 24 and will be out to avenge last month’s 93-84 loss at UNC. They have won each of their three games since then by 15 or more points, including a 73-48 dismantling of Virginia on Saturday and a 79-64 win in a hostile environment at NC State on Monday. 

That recent run has the Blue Devils back in the top 10 this week as they prepare for their all-important regular-season finale with the Tar Heels. UNC is also up a spot in this week after clinching at least a share of the ACC title with a blowout win over Notre Dame on Tuesday on an emotional senior night.