College hoops Wednesday: Duke defeats North Carolina

New Mexico plays the Boise State Broncos at home on Saturday before a mid-week idle week to prepare for a crucial road game against the No. 24 Colorado State Rams on Feb. 23.

The rivalry between Duke and North Carolina is one that is historically unmatched in the college basketball record books. On Wednesday night, the two programs gave us yet another great showdown on Tobacco Road.

In the end, No. 2 Duke came out on top, winning by a score of 73-68.

After an impressive win with the country’s eyes fixed toward them Saturday night, a loss Wednesday to DePaul would have been embarrassing. DePaul is now 1-10 in conference play and has lost nine games in a row.

Notre Dame out-rebounded the Blue Demons 41-21.

Miami led just about the entire way. The Seminoles tried to make one final push in the final four minutes, but turnovers and poor shot selection hindered any chance they had at dealing the ‘Canes their first loss in nearly two months.

Next up for Miami is a trip to Clemson on Sunday night. Florida State will look to get back on track against a scrappy Boston College team on Saturday afternoon.

Butler made the game late close, getting as close as 68-67 with 8.4 seconds left on a made Clarke 3-pointer. But Charlotte made its free throws to clinch the four-point win.

The story of the game was free throw and three-point shooting. UConn went 8-for-15 from behind the arc, and hit 16 of their 24 free throws. ‘Cuse hit just four of their 22 attempts from deep. They made just eight free throws.

It was a frustrating night for the Orange and head coach Jim Boeheim, especially when they look back and see they scored just about every time they attacked the rim.

The Cowboys were nearly unstoppable on offense Wednesday. They finished 32-of-57 from the field (56.1 percent), 12-of-21 from 3-point range (57.1 percent) and 15-of-21 from the free-throw line (71.4 percent).

Indiana moved out to an early lead and never looked back. They held a nine-point advantage by halftime and grew that lead throughout the final 20 minutes of play. As a team, the Hoosiers shot 46 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the three-point arc and made 24 of their 29 free throw attempts.

So it’s come to this.

Well played, UNC. Well played.

Cue the second season of college hoops:

No. 6 Syracuse at Connecticut (7 p.m./ESPN)