Final
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ACC leaders North Carolina, Duke renew rivalry

Feb 11, 2009 - 11:36 AM No. 3 North Carolina (21-2) at No. 5 Duke (20-3), 9:00 p.m. EST

DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Duke is coming off an atypical week, while North Carolina is continuing to play like the team everyone expected it to be.

Regardless, the two are once again meeting in a meaningful Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

One of the fiercest rivalries in college sports begins another chapter on Wednesday when third-ranked North Carolina visits No. 5 Duke in a battle of ACC leaders.

Either the Tar Heels (21-2, 7-2 ACC) or the Blue Devils (20-3, 7-2) have won at least a share of the ACC regular-season crown each of the last five seasons. The schools currently share a game lead over Florida State atop the standings.

After dropping its first two conference games, North Carolina comes in on a seven-game winning streak. The Tar Heels defeated Virginia, 76-61, on Saturday.

Tyler Hansbrough leads UNC in scoring at 22.1 points per game but the Tar Heels have received a boost lately from Wayne Ellington, who is averaging 21.3 over his last six contests.

Duke rallied for a 78-75 overtime victory over Miami on Saturday, one game after suffering its worst defeat in 19 years against Clemson. The Tigers beat the Blue Devils, 74-47, last Wednesday.

Jon Scheyer scored 22 points to lead the Blue Devils, who trailed the Hurricanes by 16 points in the second half before rallying for the win.

Kyle Singler is averaging 15.8 points to lead Duke, but the sophomore has shot 29 percent (19-of-66) over his last five games.