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Former President Barack Obama was in attendance for Wednesday night's upset by the No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels of the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke University officials hadincreased security with the likelihood that Obama would be in attendance, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports earlier Wednesday.

The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

Obama was video-taped pregame by ABC11's Mark Armstrong high-fiving fans and later was captured by ESPN cameras.

The former president even had a front-row view at Zion Williamson's bizarre knee injury, which wasthe result of the Duke star freshman's shoe blowing apart when he planted.

After taking in the contest, which resulted in a big UNC win, Obama took to Twitter to wish Williamson well.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters after the game that Williamson had suffered a "mild knee sprain," but said his star's knee was otherwise "stable."

Obama was the talk of Tuesday's news conference withtheteams, with Duke's R.J. Barrett thrilled aboutthe possibilityof the former presidentpossibly attending.

"If he comes, I'm going to be very excited," Barrett told reporters. "This is a legendary game. Many people want to watch. It's going to be a great game."

Former President Barack Obama looks on during the first half between the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels.(Photo11: Rob Kinnan, USA TODAY Sports)

The Tar Heels (20-5, 10-2)are looking to upset the heavily favored Blue Devils (23-2, 11-1) in the first of two clashes in the next three weeks. Behind Barrett and projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Williamson, Duke is currently the top overall No. 1 seed in USA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology. North Carolina is a projected No. 2 seed.

Obama has close ties to UNC coach Roy Williams and often favored the Tar Heels in hisNCAA tournament picks while he was president.

I never know who is coming, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters Tuesday. I try not to let that be what Im thinking of. Look, anybody can show up here because it is a bucket-list thing. Its a bucket-list just to come to a game in Cameron. But Duke and Carolina at Cameron is one of those great sporting events. So we can expect anything here."

Tipoff for the gameis 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, and tickets were nearing the price of Super Bowl tickets.

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Barack Obama attends Duke-UNC game, wishes Zion Williamson ...