'There's nothing like it'; Duke students celebrate with bonfire after 63-57 win over UNC
Posted February 4, 2023
Durham, N.C. — The celebration is on Saturday night after Duke's 63-57 win over North Carolina.
After the victory, thousands of Duke students gathered around a bonfire at the Duke Quad. Sky 5 flew over the scene.
By 10 p.m. Saturday, the fire was out on the Quad.
"We're feeling great" said students as they poured out of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
"There's nothing like it," another Duke fan said. "It's the biggest game in college basketball all year."
Duke's victory stamps Jon Scheyer's first victory as a head coach in the rooted rivalry. Saturday night marked the first time Mike Krzyzewski was not the head coach of the Blue Devils against North Carolina since 1980.
"The rivalry feels a little different this year because Coach K is gone, but the passion to beat Duke has not dissipated in Chapel Hill," said Caroline Bass, a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "So, we’re ready for March in the Dean Dome."
Freshman center Dereck Lively II had four points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in the win. His monster put-back slam helped the Blue Devils put the Tar Heels away late in the second half.
The Tar Heels will get a shot at redemption on March 4 when they host the Blue Devils at the Dean E. Smith Center.