Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Returns to Full Strength Versus Tar Heels

The Duke basketball team has the services of its premier bench defender for the first time since mid-February.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball forward Maliq Brown versus UNC
Duke basketball forward Maliq Brown versus UNC | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

With a chance to wrap up an ACC regular season title and secure the No. 1 seed for next week's ACC Tournament in Charlotte's Spectrum Center, Jon Scheyer's third Duke basketball squad is in Chapel Hill for a rivalry showdown against the UNC Tar Heels.

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The No. 2-ranked Blue Devils (27-3, 18-1 ACC) and Hubert Davis' fourth batch of Tar Heels (20-11, 13-6 ACC) tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN).

An hour ahead of the bout, the official Duke basketball social media accounts confirmed that key reserve Maliq Brown is active. The 6-foot-9, 222-pound junior forward has been out of commission since sustaining a dislocated left shoulder during Duke's win at Virginia on Feb. 17.

He's averaging only 2.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. But Brown, who landed on the All-ACC Defensive Team last season at Syracuse before transferring to Duke, leads the Blue Devils with his 3.3 steals per 40 minutes on the court.

So, with junior guard Tyrese Proctor's recent return from a knee injury, the Blue Devils are at full strength for the first time in weeks — at an ideal time.

ALSO READ: Nearby Recruit Attending Another Duke Rivalry Game

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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