On the heels (no pun intended) of the Duke-UNC men’s game came the Duke-UNC women’s game. Most people could care less, but, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve enjoyed watching the college women’s game over the last 8 years or so (partially because of the rise of the Duke women’s team during that time.)

Duke and UNC are not only national powers in men’s basketball, but also women’s. They squared off tonight in Chapel Hill. Both teams were undefeated at 24-0, with Duke ranked #1 and UNC #2. These two teams appear to be the best two in the country, and tonight would allow one of the teams to make a statement about being the best.

Duke has had trouble with UNC for the last two seasons, but not tonight. Duke knocked off UNC 64-53 and remains #1 at 25-0. They held the high-scoring Tar Heels, who were averaging 87 ppg, to only 53 points. The Heels shot only 27% from the field, in part because of a 3-20 night (and 0-11 from 3-pt range) by UNC guard Ivory Latta. Lindsey Harding’s defense on Latta was outstanding.

Duke has now beaten then-#1 Maryland, #3 Tennessee, and #2 North Carolina. They probably won’t run the table, but they should go into the NCAA tournament this year as the favorite to win it all. After a heartbreaking loss to Maryland in the title game last year, I suspect they’re hungrier than ever. Hopefully, they’ll be able to come through this time around.

On PTI today, Kornheiser and Wilbon commented on the Duke-UNC men’s game last night, on Duke’s success over the last 10 years, and on where they are now.