Charlotte native Meeks ready to end Duke’s streak

CHAPEL HILL, NC (WCCB Charlotte) — West Charlotte HS alum Kennedy Meeks has all kinds of reasons why North Carolina needs a win on Saturday night at Duke.

Ending a four-game losing streak against Duke is right at the top.

“If a team beats you four times in a row, of course, that’s all you think about,” Meeks said.

The Tar Heels led nearly the entire game in their first meeting at the Dean Smith Center on February 17. Duke rallied late and used a defensive stand to top North Carolina, 94-93.

“After that game it was hard for us,”  Meeks said. “It was a close game, we had a lead and let it slip away. So I think this game is getting real for us because of what’s at stake.”

North Carolina currently sits on top of the ACC standings. A win at Duke ensures at least a share of the regular season title and would give the Tar Heels a number-1 seed in the ACC Tournament.

“I think it would mean a lot, just for coach, just for his sake,” Meeks said. “It’s been a rough couple years for him and Marcus (Paige) and the seniors. First and foremost, I think the underclassmen want to do it for them.”

Meeks describes this season as a ‘roller-coaster’ of a year. He missed seven games earlier this year with a knee injury after working hard in the off-season to drop weight. While recording a season-low in minutes in a win vs. Syracuse on Monday, he scored in double-digits (10) for the first time since February 1 against Louisville.

Catch an in-depth interview with Meeks on Sunday’s edition of Got Game on WCCB airing at 10:35.