North Carolina edged rival Duke 81-77 in a Final Four game Saturday in New Orleans to advance to tonight’s men’s basketball national final, in which they’ll meet top-seeded Kansas.
Sophomore guard Caleb Love scored a game-high 27 points, including a dagger 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining, in the Tar Heels’ win in Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final game.
The first-ever tournament meeting between the rivals featured 18 lead changes.
Love totaled 21 points over the final 20 minutes. Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot posted 11 points and 21 rebounds. Guard R.J. Davis scored 18 points for the Tar Heels.
Kansas Routs ‘Nova
Earlier Saturday, David McCormack totaled a game-high 25 points to lead No. 1 Kansas to a 81-65 Final Four victory over Villanova in New Orleans.
The Jayhawks never trailed in the victory, which clinched the first spot in the National Championship game.
Jayhawks guard Ochai Agbaji made six 3-pointers and totaled 21 points. Sophomore forward Jalen Wilson chipped in 11 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
The Jayhawks (33-6) will face the Tar Heels in the National Championship game on 9:20 p.m. EST in New Orleans.
