(Warning: This article comes from a diehard Duke fan. The majority of the information stated in the article should NOT be taken seriously, unless you are a fan of the Duke Blue Devils. All info is strictly biased.)
The Duke-North Carolina is "arguably" the best rivalry in college basketball.
When it comes to rivalries, this one is hard to put into words.
Two teams whose campuses sit 30 minutes from each other get a chance for bragging rights as they face each other twice a year.
For die-hard fans like myself, the two games they play against each other are better than the Super Bowl.
First of all, I want everyone out there to know that the North Carolina Tar Heels are the worst team in college basketball. I hate them with a passion that can't even be described.
Nothing personal, it's just the territory that comes with being a Duke fan.
Everyone knows one can't like both teams; it's either one or the other.
If you do like both teams, then I'm afraid you are not a real fan.
From the days of Eric Montross to the days of Sean May and Co. that won it all in 2005, the Tar Heels have always made me sick to my stomach.
And today is no better with that piece of trash they call Tyler Hansbrough. What a joy it was for me when Gerald Henderson bust Hansbrough's nose wide open last season.
With that said, my Blue Devils failed to get it done against the Heels last year, and lost both meetings between the teams.
This year, though, will be different.
This year, we didn't have to watch a softie by the name of Josh McRoberts get dominated under the hole by Hansbrough the whole game.
This year, we have two new players by the name of Kyle Singler and Taylor King, who are way better together than McRoberts was alone last season.
And this year, North Carolina's point guard, Ty Lawson, sat out the game with a sprained ankle.
The good news was that Lawson was hurt. And the bad news was that North Carolina won't be at full strength.
Whenever your team goes up against their rivals, you want the opposing team to be 100 percent so you don't hear excuses from your friends.
For me, the hate for Carolina isn't towards the whole team, but rather towards certain players.
Sam Perkins, Eric Montross, Rick Fox Jerry Stackhouse, Sean May, Tyler Hansbrough, Reyshawn Terry, and Brandon Wright go on my list of most hated Tarheels.
These guys always did something to spoil the ruin excitement of Bue Devil fans.
And as much as it pains me to say this, there were Tar Heel alums who deserve respect: Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter, and Antawn Jamison top my list of most respected UNC players.
But back to the game.
Wednesday was a great day for all college basketball fans in the Carolinas. The game was on three different stations, and that doesn't include the blackout on ESPN. All of the sports bars in Chapel Hill and Durham North Carolina were be completely filled with Duke and Carolina blue.
And most importantly, I made the dangerous attempt to sit between NC fans while sporting a Duke hoodie with a "Duke fans only" sign attached to my back.
The pleasure of seeing this game from the bleachers of Chapel Hill for the first time is something I will cherish forever.
So to all of my fellow Duke fans, I did manage to make it out of Chapel Hill safely despite my screaming and gloating towards Carolina fans after the game.
To all the Tar Heels fans out there, sorry for the whooping we handed you guys.
Michael Whittenberg is a senior writer for BleacherReport.com.
7 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
haha I support Duke even though I am from Boston.looking forward to this game tonight.nice article.
Edit Comment Cancel
David Williams about 1 year ago
GO TAR HEELS ALLLLLLLLLL DAYYYYYYY. But respectfully, good luck to your team tonight Michael
Edit Comment Cancel
Sean Crowe about 1 year ago
Always good to see former Celtic legend Eric Montross' name come up.
Edit Comment Cancel
John McClory about 1 year ago
"First of all, I want everyone out there to know that the North Carolina Tar Heels are the worst team in college basketball. I hate them with a passion that can't even be described.
Nothing personal..."
This cracked me up. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume it is "personal." Just a hunch.
Anyway, I've always preferred Duke over UNC. I've come to the realization that Tarheel ball isn't my style to watch or play. Duke has always exhibited superior fundamentals at the college level. Who epitomizes the fundamentally sound aspect of b-ball: Team guys like Battier and Hurley or flashy guys like Carter and Stackhouse? Plus, how can you hate Coach K and his steadfast loyalty to the program and winning?
Unfortunately, I don't see either team winning a National Championship. Duke doesn't have the big man to survive late in the tourney and UNC has lackluster D.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mr Tarheel about 1 year ago
Michael,
you are right. I have tried to like Duke...but I can't. It's UNC for me.
Help me understand though....what is the appeal of DOOK?
You seem to hate UNC players for the sole reason that they are good players and they played well against DOOK.
I respect guys like Paulus when they step up against the Heels...and give him credit for not flopping in the recent game.
I just can't see where the cockiness and "bend the rules" mentality of Duke is appealing....no question, they win. But do they win with "class"....
I believe the answer is ..........no!
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Serious students of the subject need to be conversant with the scholarly materials gathered at truthaboutduke.com, compiled, I understand, by a Duke law graduate
Edit Comment Cancel
David Finkelstein 4 months ago
Anybody want to buy the domain name www.DukeFan.com? I bought it years ago and I have 128 others now and I need to sell some.
David Finkelstein
DavidF@AttorneyCPA.com
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.