North Carolina at Duke Game Preview and Predictions Posted Feb 18, 2015 It’s not just you: The Duke-North Carolina rivalry is played a little later these days. The two Tobacco Road foes meet for the first time on Feb. 18 this season. Last year, they didn’t meet for the first time until Feb. 20. Compare that to years past when the first game generally will be played in early February. The late start doesn’t make the meeting any less interesting. Perhaps even it raises the stakes. (Athlon Sports)