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Duke vs. UNC-Wilmington picks for the NCAA Tournament’s first-round game.

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It’s an intra-North Carolina battle, as the Duke Blue Devils take on the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. However, while the matchup looks like something you’d see at Cameron Indoor Stadium in early November, this one is actually taking place up in Rhode Island. All things considered, there will likely be a hearty Duke contingent, since many of their out-of-state students come from the Northeast.

The Blue Devils have looked a little rattled down the stretch of the regular season, but make no mistake, these are the defending champions. Like Rudy Tomjanovich once said, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” While their team looks mighty different from a year ago, they do have the knifing skills of Grayson Allen, the all-everything Brandon Ingram, gunner Luke Kennard and Mike Krzyzewski on the bench.

How do the Campus Insiders experts see Kevin Keatts’ UNC Wilmington squad stacking up against Duke in the first round? Here’s a look at the Duke vs. UNC Wilmington picks.

Duke vs. UNC-Wilmington Picks

Pete Fiutak

If you want to argue that Duke is going out in the first round to UNC Wilmington, I’m not fighting it. Red hot coming into the tournament, the Seahawks might have the right mix to shock the defending national champions. In the end Duke wins, but it’ll be a battle, and then Mike Krzyzewski will whine about all his players leaving early.

Ray Crawford

Haven’t we all learned by now to never count Duke out … unless the Blue Devils are playing Lehigh. Coach K’s squad will be too tough for the Seahawks.

Shae Peppler

No depth, no problem in the first round. Brandon Ingram will be and should be the number 1 pick in the draft, he puts on a show in his one and only dance.

Ken Bikoff

UNC Wilmington is going to put up a fight but the Blue Devils are tough enough to move on.

Jordan Cornette

Duke – Thin bench, great shooters.
UNC-Wilmington – Four guard front that spreads you out. Blue Devils advance.

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