Without Cooper Flagg, Duke got everything it could handle from North Carolina — and an unexpected gift that proved decisive in a 74-71 win.

Jae'Lyn Withers stood in a hallway of the Spectrum Center, his left arm resting around the shoulders of North Carolina coach Hubert Davis. He was surrounded by reporters, all wanting to know a simple question.

The Tar Heels kept chipping at Duke's lead, getting the 25 point-lead down to 12. Then under 10 and finally to one before the mistake at the end. UNC rode the back of Lubin who had 20 points in the game but also Cadeau who led a flurry late in that half.