Five players to watch in UNC-Duke basketball Saturday night

Story byFive players to watch in UNC-Duke basketball Saturday nightAidan Jensen, Tar Heels WireFri, February 6, 2026 at 1:38 AM UTC·5 min read

There's only one sporting event you should be watching on Saturday night. At 6:30 p.m. in Chapel Hill, the UNC and Duke men's basketball teams will battle in sports' best rivalry.

North Carolina (18-4, 6-3 ACC) is making a rapid climb up the ACC standings, while the Blue Devils (21-1, 10-0 ACC) are a 1-point loss away from being undefeated. The Tar Heels looked overwhelmed in both matchups last season, but re-loaded with a roster capable of competing with anyone.

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A majority of the Duke attention surrounds freshman superstar Cameron Boozer, but there's talent across that team from Durham. Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba, Caleb Foster and Nik Khamenia are just a few other Blue Devils to watch, while you can't forget about Cayden Boozer or Malik Brown.

Most of the talk surrounding UNC involves the best backcourt in college basketball, formed by freshman phenom Caleb Wilson and 7-foot center Henri Veesaar. North Carolina has a deeper, more-talented backcourt anchored by senior captain Seth Trimble, while Jarin Stevenson and Luka Bogavac lead the reserves.

The Tar Heels are in a great position to pull off an upset, winning four straight coming into Saturday's rivalry clash. Duke has 10 straight victories, most recently a 67-49 blowout of Boston College on Tuesday.

The Dean Dome will be rocking Saturday night – and there's bound to be plenty of highlight-reel moments. Big time players will make big time plays.

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As you prepare to watch the best rivalry in all of sports, which five players should you be looking out? We give you our five picks below:

Caleb Wilson

Feb 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) passes the ball as Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (1) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

There's no surprise that everyone should have their eyes on Caleb Wilson, who is arguably the best freshman in college basketball. Want to take that a step further and call Wilson the best overall player in college hoops? Tar Heel Nation will vouch for you.

Wilson bleeds Carolina Blue – and he exemplifies everything it means to be a Tar Heel. Wilson is passionate about UNC and wants people to know that. He hustles, listens to his coaches and is his teammates' greatest hype man.

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Wilson throws down highlight-reel dunks, a category he leads the nation in. Wilson has a strong mid-range game, plus he can step outside to hit 3-pointers. Thanks to Wilson's aggressiveness, he gets to the free throw line plenty – and is improving with his makes.

Wilson averages 20 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 58.1 percent from the field.

Cameron Boozer

Feb 3, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives to the basket as Boston College Eagles forward Aiden Shaw (23) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

If there's anyone else who carries the same attention and starpower that Wilson does, it's Duke freshman Cameron Boozer.

The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Cameron is a 5-tool player that every coach salivates over. Boozer can bully his opponent down low, knock down triples with ease, slam the basketball home, pull down rebounds and dish out assists from anywhere.

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While the Blue Devils have a few stars scattered across their roster, Boozer is the runaway superstar. With averages of 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game, Boozer will give North Carolina trouble on Saturday night.

Henri Veesaar

Feb 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Kiyan Anthony (7) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Henri Veesaar, the Tar Heels' 7-foot center who transferred from Arizona last offseason, is an undeniable X-factor behind his team's success.

Veesaar allows UNC to stretch the floor, thanks to his ability to play anywhere on both ends. Veesaar clogs the paint defensively, making it tough for opponents to get by him, while also having the speed and versatility to defend the perimeter. Veesaar backs down opponents with ease, can turn around to sink hook shots and drain threes.

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Most of Duke's defensive attention will be on Wilson, which frees up Veesaar to take over. With averages of 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, Veesaar will be tough for the Blue Devils to slow down.

Isaiah Evans

Feb 3, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Isaiah Evans (3) dribbles up court during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

You want to talk about someone having a major glow-up in college hoops? Look no further than Duke guard Isaiah Evans.

Evans, who starred at North Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, is playing in his sophomore campaign this season. The Blue Devils' top scoring guard, Evans more than doubled his scoring output from freshman year, exploding from 6.8 points to 14.2 points per game.

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Evans makes 88% of his free throws. If North Carolina wants to win Saturday, defenders need to play Evans smart.

Jarin Stevenson

Feb 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) with the ball as Syracuse Orange guard JJ Starling (2) and guard Naithan George (11) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

For a Chapel Hill native and lifelong UNC fan like Jarin Stevenson, games like Saturday are what you dream of as a kid.

Stevenson, who played his high school basketball at nearby Seaforth, committed to Alabama over the Tar Heels for college hoops. Last offseason, Stevenson came home – and is reaping that benefit.

Defense is Stevenson's calling card, but he also packs a scoring punch – and can play any position 1-5. Stevenson has 14 starts under his belt, but is more effective in recent games off the bench.

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Stevenson averages 7.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, while he shoots 44.9% from the field and 75.4% from the free throw line. If there's one guy you should be locked onto Saturday night, it's Stevenson.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC-Duke basketball: Five players to watch in Saturday rivalry battle

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