We're running a tournament to find out who is the best ACC Team of all-time. Read more about it here.
Today's elite 8 matchup features the 3 seed North Carolina Tarheels 1981-82 against the 11 seed Duke Blue Devils 1985-86.
Duke 85-86 Path
UNC 81-82 Path
Game 1
UNC 81-82: 71
Duke 85-86: 69
UNC leads the series 1-0
Notes: Sam Perkins' tip with 7 seconds remaining was the difference as the big lefty gave UNC the series lead after game one. Perkins finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while shooting 9-10 from the floor. Michael Jordan added 16 points and James Worthy scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for UNC. Mark Alarie and Johnny Dawkins scored 17 points a piece, while Danny Ferry added 10 points in the game one loss.
Game 2
Duke 85-86: 79
UNC 81-82: 61
The series is tied 1-1
Notes: Some outstanding shooting and rebounding were the difference as Duke evened the series at one. Mark Alarie led the Blue Devils offensive attack with 17 points, while Johnny Dawkins and David Henderson added 16 points a piece. Duke shot 62% from the floor and grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Heels. James Worthy scored 17 points and added 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in the loss. Michael Jordan (15 pts) and Jimmy Black (10 pts, 6 asts) also added double-figures.
Game 3
Duke 85-86: 91
UNC 81-82: 89
OVERTIME
Duke leads the series 2-1
Notes: This game had it all, two perimeter players matching big shot after big shot, and two big man who refuse to let their team lose. At the end of the regulation it was the big men who stole the show as Mark Alarie and James Worthy each made big shots to keep the game knotted. Worthy's layup at the end of regulation sent the game into overtime (only the 2nd OT game in the tournament). In overtime, it was all about Johnny Dawkins and Michael Jordan. Jordan hit several buckets, but Dawkins seemingly always had an answer for the Blue Devils. Dawkins step-back jumper with 3 seconds remaining gave Duke the game three win. Dawkins led Duke with 26 points and Alarie added 23 points. The Heels were led by James Worthy's 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Michael Jordan added 20 points and 7 rebounds.
Game 4
UNC 81-82: 74
Duke 85-86: 73
The series is tied 2-2
Notes: Sam Perkins scored 19 points and added 8 rebounds, while James Worthy (17 pts, 8 rebs), Michael Jordan (12 pts), and Matt Doherty (12 pts) each added double-figures. UNC had a comfortable lead for most of the second half, but poor free throw shooting let Duke back in it. Mark Alarie scored 26 points to lead Duke in game four, while David Henderson scored 15 points. One key to the UNC win was Michael Jordan's ability to get Johnny Dawkins in foul trouble. Dawkins played just 28 minutes and scored just 8 points in the loss.
Game 5
UNC 81-82: 78
Duke 85-86: 72
UNC wins the series 3-2
Notes: James Worthy scored 27 points and UNC shot 67% from the floor as the UNC win means a trip to the final four. Michael Jordan scored 13 points and Sam Perkins added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Johnny Dawkins bounced back in game five and led Duke with 18 points and 3 steals, but it was turnovers that hurt Duke in game five. Duke turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 15 times in the loss. The third seeded UNC 81-82 now moves on to the final four to face #2 UNC 08-09.
Tomorrow, we will play BOTH of the final four matchups. Look for #1 Duke 91-92 vs #13 Duke 98-99 in the morning and #2 UNC 08-09 vs #3 UNC 81-82 around lunch.
