The No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils (28-2, 16-1 ACC) have dealt with few issues throughout the course of the regular season and especially in league play. Duke has cruised through most of its opponents, most recently taking down NC State (19-11, 10-7 ACC) on the road on Monday night by a score of 93-64.

However, the one time the Blue Devils had their hearts broken this season was in February in Chapel Hill. Duke entered the first edition of the rivalry between itself and No. 17 North Carolina (23-6, 11-5 ACC) as the clear better team with a chance to ink a resume-boosting win on the road.

For most of the contest, it looked like the Blue Devils were going to do just that. Duke held double-digit leads in both halves and seemed to be fully in control for the majority of the way. Then, disaster struck.

Sophomore center Patrick Ngongba fouled out with just over six minutes to go, and the Tar Heels proceeded to outscore Duke 16-6 over that final span, and won 71-68 off a buzzer-beating three by Seth Trimble.

Now, Carolina will have to head to Cameron Indoor Stadium, where Duke is 14-0 this year. Duke is sending a message that it is ready for revenge on Saturday.