The Devil's Den: A Duke Athletics Podcast · The Devils Den Podcast, Duke, Duke basketball, Duke athletics, Duke Blue Devils

Episode 352 - UNC Reaction

·51 min·5 clips

Duke led UNC for 39 minutes and 56 seconds but lost 71-68 in a brutal Chapel Hill defeat.

Host Josh Smith and guest co-host Shu Noru analyze Duke's narrow 71-68 road loss to rival UNC. The episode focuses on the game's pivotal final moments and broader rivalry context. Smith and Noru are hosts of a dedicated Duke Athletics fan podcast. Duke led the game for 39 minutes and 56 seconds before UNC closed with a 9-0 run. The hosts plan to discuss foul discrepancies, court-storming by fans, and key freshman matchups. UNC's Seth Trimble, a senior, hit the decisive three-pointer in the final seconds. Trimble was noted as the only player on either team with prior experience in the Duke-UNC rivalry. Duke failed to score in response to UNC's three consecutive three-pointers in the last two and a half minutes. The conversation centers on whether Duke lost the game or UNC won it through clutch play. Shu Noru's takeaway is split, crediting UNC for their finish while criticizing Duke's late-game execution. Smith implies the loss felt like a theft due to Duke's prolonged control of the game. The hosts had previously identified Trimble as a potential threat in their game preview. They note the irony that, from a Duke perspective, Trimble might have been the preferred UNC player to take a final shot. The collapse occurred despite Duke holding a six-point lead very late. The tone is conversational and analytical, reflecting two fans dissecting a painful rivalry defeat. The style is immediate reaction, focusing on key sequences and "what-if" scenarios. This episode is essential for Duke fans seeking a detailed breakdown of the loss's closing minutes. Listeners interested in broader ACC basketball analysis or UNC perspectives might find it too narrowly focused.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Devil's Den: A Duke Athletics Podcast