UNC vs Duke: Live observations from Final Four game, winner will face Kansas for title

Duke and North Carolina are at Caesars Superdome, set to play for a third time this season.

The winner of the NCAA tournament semifinal game, which is scheduled to begin just before 9 p.m. ET on TBS, will face Kansas Monday in the national championship game here. The Jayhawks beat Villanova, 81-65, in the first Final Four game of the night.

The News and Observer has seven journalists on site at Caesars Superdome, including Luke DeCock, Andrew Carter, C.L. Brown and Steve Wiseman. They will have live observations from the scene at the arena.

UNC wins: Duke’s oldest and fiercest rival ended Mike Krzyzewski’s run as Blue Devils coach in a thrilling game that matched all the intensity Krzyzewski brought to the Duke-UNC rivalry over the last 42 seasons.

In a game that saw 18 lead changes and 12 ties, Caleb Love scored UNC’s final eight points over the last 24.8 seconds and the Tar Heels beat Duke 81-77 in an NCAA tournament national semifinal game at the Superdome Saturday night.

Bacot fouls out: UNC forward Armando Bacot fouled out with 46 seconds remaining in the game. Bacot finishes with 11 points and 21 rebounds in 33 minutes.

Rebound record: Bacot pulled down his 21st rebound, which tied former Kansas forward Nick Collison, who grabbed 21 in the same building in 2003.

Bacot injured: UNC forward Armando Bacot appeared to roll his ankle with 5:18 remaining in the game. Bacot stepped on the foot of teammate Leaky Black under the Duke basket. Bacot fell to the floor behind the basket and laid on the floor before being helped off by teammates.

At the time of the injury the game was tied at 65. Bacot had 11 points and 19 rebounds. Before he reached the bench, Bacot was able to walk without help from teammates. Moments later, Bacot jogged off to the locker room area. The ankle injury wasn’t series as Bacot checked back in at the 4:36 mark.