Liveblogging UNC-Duke

Number one versus number two. Two undefeated teams. A week of ESPN hype, and without Dick Vitale for once. It's the Tar Heel-Blue Devil matchup of my youth, just without Y chromosomes. In celebration of a Carolina game actually making it to West Coast television, I'll spew my thoughts with a characteristic lack of interesting insights. And for those of you who don't care about women's basketball, well yes there's something wrong with you, but I'll intersperse thoughts on the other Heels basketball team while I'm at it.

4:02 The pregame hype footage throws in clips of Vince Carter and a Coach Who Sahll Not Be Named in Durham. ESPN doesn't really have the coverage history for this rivalry they have with the men's, do they? At least they didn't resort to the 1995 Capel shot.
4:04 For those of you behind on the required reading, here's the web hype, varying from insightful to banal.
4:06 Steal and a layup to start. A good statement in the opposing gym.
4:07 In addition to 700+ wins, the winning percentage for Hatchell is also one-thousandth below 0.700 ball at UNC. ANother steal, another layup and it's four-nothing.
4:10 Duke is having trouble shooting, and UNC seems to have an early lead down low. UNC just blew by the Duke press - they're much faster than the teams I remember.
4:11 And the teams I remember had Marion Jones running the point. Another steal.
4:12 Entering the first timeout, it's 8-3 Carolina, and the team is pumped.

4:14 UNC responds to a basket with yet another layup. Duke's getting more offensive rebounds though. The play-by-play folks are talking about Duke playing against mens' teams to practice. It's pretty common - UC Santa Barbara is holding auditions right now, actually.
4:16 Ivory Latta can drive. A beautiful shot over a much taller opponent.
4:17 A poor three choice for Duke. They shouldn't have had position for the rebound, though. And UNC shouldn't be turning it over so often.
4:18 Larkins just blew into the lane and then pounded it up over two post players. 14-11.
4:19 Is "The Allen Iverson of Women's Basketball" really a compliment? Second timeout, 14-13.

Back on the mens' side, if you're wondering why UNC had such an easy time with Arizona, take a gander at the columnist pile-on in the week prior to the game. In that situation, the Wildcats were either going to come out strong and gain confidence, or collapse. Good for UNC to ensure it was the latter.

4:23 Duke takes the lead with a questionable steal, but UNC ties it right up. Larkin is unstoppable on offense, but Duke's big women are getting traction inside on the other end of the court. 16-16.
4:25 They left Ivory Latta off of USA Basketball? That doesn't seem like a wise decision at this point. I think Gail Goestenkors the next Olympic coach as well.
4:27 UNC is getting sloppy, and Duke is up three. No one's hit one from behind the arc yet, though.
4:29 Duke is up 23-18 entering the timeout.

4:31 Look, this Duke coach works the refs over obvious fouls, too!
4:32 Little snithed the ball from Duke like they were standing still, and had great presence of mind while falling down to keep the break going. Duke responds with a quick four points, and Haskell calls a timeout. 22-27.
4:34 UNC's losing its rebounding advantage on the offensive end of the court. Not good.
4:35 The refs keep looking at bruising play and only calling jump balls. Good for them.
4:36 Duke's defense is giving the Heels fits, and just swarming Larkins inside. A stupid foul on the other end gives her three fouls.
4:37 Two more fouls, one on each team. Perhaps I spoke to soon.
4:38 Another bad pass, another tunrover, and two botched rebounds on the other end. Duke drains a three to get a ten point lead.
4:39 The first Redick reference of the night. Only took so long because of the lack of outside shooting, I suppose.
4:40 The Bud Light Daredevil commercials don't seem particularly well targeted towards this fanbase.

4:42 Back from the break with two missed Carolina free throws. The receiving end of the Redick analogy is in the back having her knee looked at.
4:43 With Larkin out Duke's getting more rebounds and putting on more pressure outside. Duke's getting open looks from behind the arc that UNC just isn't. It's a 14-0 run for Team Evil.
4:46 UNC ends the drought after Duke overcommits to the press. First 1994 national championship reference.
4:47 The Tar Heel rebounding has all but disappeared. 24-40. Latta drains a three at the end of the half - I hope it sparks something, 27-40.