Seth Trimble buzzer beater: North Carolina upsets Duke as historic rivalry gets another incredible ending originally appeared on Sports news. Add The Sporting News as Favorite source by clicking here.
There was pandemonium at the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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The local Tar Heels trailed their rival the entire game Duke Blue Devils. North Carolina, who entered the game No. 14, fought back in the game. UNC had the ball with less than 11 seconds remaining and took a timeout.
Hubert Davis set up a play and the ball was eventually sent to Seth Trimble on the wing. He made the 3-pointer and it looked like the game was over.
The field was stormed, but 0.4 seconds were counted, and the field had to be cleared of students and celebratory drinks were thrown. All of this allowed the UNC faithful to celebrate a second time, as Duke couldn’t strike with extra time and UNC pulled away. with a 71-68 victory.
Read more about the electric finish to the first UNC-Duke game of the 2025-2026 season.
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MORE: How did North Carolina beat Duke?
Seth Trimble, buzzer beater
Carolina-Duke is considered one of the best rivalries in all of college sports, not even just basketball. The rivalry runs deep between the two programs which are only eight miles apart. No matter what seasons both programs have, they always seem to play good games.
North Carolina didn’t lead the entire game. The game was tied 68-68 and Trimble was kicked on the ball on the wing. The senior made all three, giving the Tar Heels the only lead they held dear all game. Duke led by six with 2:51 to play, but UNC closed the game on a 9-0 run.
Storms on college basketball courts are hotly debated, but they’re amazing as long as no one gets hurt. Taking that excitement and reducing it to get everyone back in the seats they just stormed out of with 0.4 seconds left is…complicated.
In an exclusive interview with Sporting News, Trimble was asked about the legacy he wanted to leave as a Tar Heel. He said, “I want my legacy to be that I was a game changer and program builder. I’m not the greatest scorer of all time, but I showed the guys the ‘Carolina Way’ and helped us win. This team has the chance to be an all-time legendary group, and I’m proud to be a part of it. At the end of the day, I just want to know that I made a difference and left the biggest impact on this school as possible.” Hitting a buzzer beater to beat Duke at home as a senior is certainly one way to cement a legacy.
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Trimble’s third buzzer beater was obviously his biggest shot of the victory. He finished with 16 points, and that was the only 3-pointer he made all game. Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson played the entire game and led the Tar Heels with 23 points, four rebounds and two assists.
On the Duke side, Cameron Boozer led the way for the Blue Devils with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two assists for his first taste of this rivalry in which his father Carlos played several times during his college career.
Carolina has now won five games in a row, with victories over No. 14 Virginia and No. 4 Duke. The rematch of this series will be played at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday, March 7. This will be the final regular season game for both teams before heading to the ACC tournament.
