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Already getting giddy for North Carolina-Duke on Saturday

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Mike Miller

North Carolina did its part. Now we’ll see if its rematch with Duke produces another classic finish like the first version.

The No. 6 Tar Heels ran over Maryland Wednesday night, 88-64, ensuring that Saturday’s game in Durham is for all the marbles in the ACC. Regular-season title, top seed in the conference tourney and probably some bragging rights.

That’s how it should be for that rivalry game, you know?

In you forgot, the last time UNC and Duke played, Carolina couldn’t keep a 10-point lead in the final minutes and lost when Austin Rivers hit one of the shots of the season.

Since then, North Carolina (26-4, 13-2 in ACC) has won six straight and one of ‘em has been close. Duke (26-4, 13-2) has won seven in a row, but at least four were tight affairs in which the Devils didn’t play that well. (Coach K says he doesn’t mind.)

So what happens Saturday? For starters, expect the Heels to adjust their defense a bit (they had issues guarding the perimeter) and for Tyler Zeller to turn in a big game. He had a couple gaffes vs. Duke that were crucial and he’s coming off a huge game vs. Maryland.

Oh, the winner also gets a shot at a No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament. How’s that for upping the ante in an always-hyped game?

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.