Kara Lawson is zeroed in on the immediate task at hand: preparing the 16th-ranked Duke team for their home game against the eighth-ranked North Carolina. A victory would mean more than just winning a faceoff with a local rival in their neighboring backyard.
The significance of every Atlantic Coast Conference game within the 919 area code is elevated these days. The Blue Devils, Tar Heels, and N.C. State, which ranks ninth, all located within a 30-minute drive of each other in North Carolina’s “Triangle” region, have made the state unique. It’s the only state with three different programs breaking into the top 10 of the AP Top 25 this season. This feat positions them well for high seeding in the NCAA Tournament, potentially allowing them to host opening-weekend games simultaneously for the first time in over 25 years.
“This area is unlike any other,” Lawson stated. “When you consider having Power Four schools so close together and the passion this area has for basketball—both men’s and women’s—the environments are fantastic. College basketball isn’t like this anywhere else.”
All three teams were included when the NCAA committee revealed its preliminary top-16 seeds on February 16. The committee will update this list again on Thursday night, right before the Blue Devils host the Tar Heels in Durham. Notably, there has been only one previous occasion since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994 when the three schools all hosted in the same year. That was in 1998, when N.C. State reached the Final Four under the guidance of the late Hall of Famer Kay Yow, and the Tar Heels and Blue Devils each advanced to a regional final.
Depending on how the rest of the season plays out, along with next week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, the scenario could repeat. In a previous committee reveal, N.C. State was seeded second regionally, while Duke and UNC were both third seeds. As of Wednesday, the Blue Devils are the highest-ranked among the trio in the NET rankings considered by the committee, while the Tar Heels are the only team unbeaten on the road with a 9-0 record. Meanwhile, N.C. State has managed six Quadrant 1 wins, trailing only No. 1 Texas, No. 2 UCLA, No. 4 USC, and No. 6 South Carolina, who have more.
N.C. State, with a record of 22-5 overall and 14-2 in the ACC, is coming off a remarkable win against then-No. 1 Notre Dame in a double-overtime nail-biter. This game saw 21 lead changes and featured elite performances from guards along with highlight plays, making it a showcase moment for women’s basketball. The game was played at a packed Reynolds Coliseum, with fans lining up for hours before the bump, prompting the Wolfpack team to distribute doughnuts—an event even covered by ESPN’s “College GameDay” on site.
“We have a nice home-court advantage,” Wolfpack coach Wes Moore remarked about potentially hosting the first and second rounds. A week before, the Wolfpack had faced only their second loss since November in Chapel Hill against the Tar Heels, despite UNC losing forward Alyssa Ustby to injury. UNC went on to win the match with Grace Townsend hitting two crucial free throws amid a sellout crowd, propelling them into the top 10 subsequently.
Coach Courtney Banghart of UNC noted the enthusiasm of their fans, stating, “This is a place where basketball is adored. I don’t care that we’re all so close. If the teams are good enough, they should host. Plus, ESPN can save by sending one crew for all the games.” UNC hasn’t hosted NCAA games since 2015, whereas N.C. State has done so four times and Duke twice.
Now, Duke aims to capitalize on its opportunity. With a standing of 21-7 overall and 12-4 within the conference, Duke has had two intervals within the top 10 this year, although they’ve lost two of their last three matchups going back to a loss against the then-No. 1 Fighting Irish. They also faced setbacks against their nearby rivals on the road. This upcoming game is the only chance for one of these Triangle teams to play at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium this season, putting them in a stronger position for a top-four seed in the ACC Tournament with the accompanying double-round bye.
Lawson shares, “We aim to achieve the best standings possible and in the committee’s rankings, ensuring a chance for a home court.” She adds, “If they’re providing opportunities to 16 teams, why not aim for one?”
