Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer Shine in a Historic UNC vs Duke Meeting

North Carolina came from behind to shock Duke in a 71-68 instant classic. The best rivalry in college hoops was given another all-time game from two of the best blue bloods in the sport.

Duke was in complete control of this game for 39 minutes, then UNC’s role players got hot. The Tar Heels' largest lead of the game occurred with 0.4 seconds remaining when Seth Trimble hit a massive corner three to give UNC its first lead of the second half.

This game will be remembered by Trimble’s game-winner, but NBA scouts will leave very impressed with what they saw from Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. For most of the night, it felt like an 80’s basketball game, with Boozer and Wilson battling it out on the low post.

With Wilson, it felt like his team was going to let him down after a hyper-efficient 23-point performance. For most of the night, Duke just seemed to be in control. Freshman, Dame Sarr was tasked with his highest minutes load of the season, and he looked very comfortable next to Boozer.

Speaking of Boozer, some of my biggest concerns with him at the next level popped up tonight. He’s clearly been the best player in the country, and he put up another impressive stat line tonight, but I’m not sure if he plays a style of basketball that will translate to the pros. He plays a bully-ball style of offense, and pairs that with a finishing package that doesn’t seem worth a top-three pick.

When matched up against his former AAU teammate, Caleb Wilson, it seemed like he had such limited scoring options, whereas Wilson looked like a fluid NBA-level big. Wilson’s jumper leaves a lot to be desired; there’s a reason he only shoots 1 three a game; however, it’s mechanically very sound. He also looks incredibly comfortable from the mid-post, and he has a turnaround jumper that would be hard to guard at any level.

If Cam Boozer isn’t the clear-cut best player on the floor, his game feels too robotic for my liking. Late in this game, when the ball was in his hands, his only move was a straight line drive to the basket.

When you’re meeting Wilson and Henri Veesar in the paint, and you’re not finishing through their contact, life’s going to be very challenging. It’s a problem he will have to deal with every night in the NBA, and I just don’t love that skill set translating as easily as Wilson’s will to the NBA.

I’m not worried about Duke in the long run. They’re still so defensively strong, and should have better showings in future games for Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II. These two teams have a rematch in one month at Cameron Indoor, and I believe Duke will be able to bounce back in a massive way to close out the season.