No. 3 North Carolina tops No. 4 Duke 79-70

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- UNC-Chapel Hill managed to hold out against Duke for the second time this season, beating the Blue Devils 79-70 Saturday evening.

The win came after it was announced Saturday morning that Duke freshman Zion Williamson would not be playing in the game.

RELATED: Zion Williamson will not play in UNC/Duke game in Chapel Hill

Saturday's game capped off the regular season for both teams.

The recap

Only one team had Coby White Saturday night and that made all the difference. In the second half, with the game very much in the balance, White blasted into the stratosphere, ripping Duke's helpless defense to shreds and powering the Heels to a 15-point margin they'd never relinquish (although they sure tried).

The best scoring point guard Roy Williams says he's ever coached, and think about the enormity of that statement, showcased every bit of his skill set. One move in the first half featured a spin and then a left to right hand behind the back dribble before he even got into the key. A double clutching finish capped it.

It was his second half performance though that had everyone talking. Both R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish admitted there's not much you can do when a player that skilled enters a zone. White was hitting step back threes, driving for and-1s, and setting up his teammates for dunks. It nearly brought the roof down in the Smith Center.

Mike Krzyzewski said it's the freedom that White's been granted by Roy Williams that makes all the difference. And not just Roy, but by his upper class teammates. Luke Maye, Cam Johnson and Kenny Williams are happy to let him sizzle.

White likely won't get drafted in the Top 10 like Barrett or Reddish or Zion Williamson, but on this night, he was the star that shone the brightest. As a result - the Heels have a share of the regular season ACC title and very realistic dreams of bigger championships to come.