The long rivalry between Duke University and the University of North Carolina (UNC) is deeply personal for Duke’s guard Caleb Foster. On March 9, 2025, in a game between Duke and UNC, which decided the ACC regular-season title, Foster’s passion and hatred for the Tar Heels were on full display.
In the game that ended 80-67 in favor of Duke in Chapel Hill, the team clinched the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament with a 28-3 overall record and 19-1 in conference play.
Foster’s performance down the stretch, characterized by a crucial layup and decisive defense, was propelled by a mindset stemming from his lifelong hatred of UNC, a point of view he expressed openly in a recent episode of The Brotherhood Podcast Session Episode 53 with Neal Begovich. As he declared, “I just hate UNC.”
A Rivalry That Defines College Basketball
The two teams’ rivalry is one of the most extreme in sports history, with the two schools separated just 10 miles along Tobacco Road. Games between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels mean more than just a contest; they’re more like cultural events, steeped in history and pride.
This rivalry hits close to home for Foster, a 6’5”, 197-pound sophomore guard from Harrisburg, North Carolina. Growing up in the state, he was plunged into the Duke-UNC divide, and his allegiance to the Blue Devils was rooted long before he stepped on campus.
“I’ve always been a Duke fan,” Foster said, emphasizing the depth of his connection to the program.
When questioned about what fueled his approach to the UNC game, Foster didn’t hold back.
“I just do not like UNC,” he admitted. “We had to beat UNC. It’s not an option.”
Foster recalled the moment he checked into the game, knowing he had to bring something extra.
“I knew I had to go in there and give it my all,” he said. “I knew I could provide some energy, maybe that y’all haven’t seen before. So, I had to switch it up, turn it up for sure, and just get the team going.”
Foster’s influence in the game was prompt. He scored an important layup in the second half, a play that showcased his ability under pressure.
Foster, in his sophomore season, emerged as a key contributor for Duke, with a total average of 11.9 points per game across the season, with several exceptional performances.
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Diving into the history, He scored double figures in his Duke debut, logging 15 points against Dartmouth, and had an 18-point outburst against Michigan State in the Champions Classic, hitting four three-pointers to seal the win.
His consistency was, of course, also evident in games against Maine, Army West Point, and Wofford, where he recorded 11, 11, and 13 points, respectively.
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