Just a few weeks ago, UNC pulled off the unexpected upset of Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and now this Saturday the two teams will meet again. This time, it’s in the Final Four and the first matchup between the two schools taking place during the NCAA Tournament.
It has been a March filled with so much basketball madness across the country, but the story of these two iconic programs meeting under these circumstances is remarkable.
I think it’s important to look back at Duke’s loss and UNC’s win during the final regular-season game of the year and Coach K’s final home game of his career. At that moment, it was heartbreaking and devastating for Duke…and celebratory and fantastic for UNC.
What’s wild to think about is what has happened since then and how that game’s result affected each team. The game provided a different outcome for each team, but it benefited them both by sending them on a journey to the Final Four.
On SI.com, writer Pat Forde wrote, “Nobody knew it at the time, but that game served as the springboard for them both to go this far. North Carolina gained confidence; Duke grew out of adversity. If the outcome had been different in Durham, neither might be going to New Orleans.”
It’s hard to quantify or confirm, but I agree with Forde. UNC’s confidence improved, along with their performance, which allowed them to go on an impressive run beating two teams from last year’s Final Four – Baylor and UCLA.
Beating Duke at Cameron was a big deal for UNC, but it was bigger than they imagined as it turned out to be just the beginning of what they would accomplish next.
Meanwhile, for Duke, the pain of their loss to UNC didn’t destroy them, but rather it caused them to reevaluate and grow from it. It led them to make necessary changes. Ultimately, it prepared them to overcome future challenges against Michigan State, Texas Tech, and Arkansas, on their way to the Final Four.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas described their recent play by saying, “It’s been a stunning reversal. They’ve always had the most weapons, but now those weapons are in total sync on the floor right now, both ends of the floor.”
Thanks to all the good that came from the March 5th game with UNC winning 94-81 over Duke, this upcoming Saturday night’s rematch is possible…and it’s going to be absolutely incredible!
There’s an important parallel for us to unpack today when it comes to how God uses both the wins and losses we experience for our good. This promise is found in Romans 8:28 (NLT): “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
The Amplified version of Romans 8:28 says, “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
As followers of Jesus, everything in our lives can be used to transform us, grow us, and work together for our good. Sometimes one big win can be a starting point for God to do something really special in our life that we never could have imagined.
We might be happy with one win and not be able to see what is in store next, but then God reveals His glory and power by pouring even more blessings on us. The confidence we receive then opens up new doors and our faith in Him grows along the way.
Meanwhile, there are times we experience the most heartbreaking loss and we’re devastated by something that took place. Although it’s hard to imagine that anything good can come from it, God uses it for His purposes.
It draws us to Him in humility as our faith grows. Then necessary changes are made to our character as He prepares us for something else, and He reveals His glory and power by pouring the blessing of His love and grace on us.
UNC and Duke didn’t know at the time that “that game served as the springboard for them both to go this far” or that a “stunning reversal” was in store.
Today, you and I don’t know how God will use our current “win” or “loss” to springboard us, but what we do know is that as we continue to love Him, He “causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good.”
Amazingly, His plans and His stunning reversals are even bigger and better than an NCAA Tournament that has Duke vs. UNC in the Final Four!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the ways You use everything in my life for good. Thank you for molding me, shaping me, and transforming me. Thank you for the exciting blessings, as well as, the challenging blessings and unique ways You use both for Your purposes. Please help me to trust You and Your promises. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
- How has God used wins in your life for good? How about losses?
- What is something in your life currently that you’re trusting Him to use for good?
