7 Reasons Duke Is the Notre Dame Football of College Basketball

Two of the most polarizing sports programs in all of college? Notre Dame football and Duke basketball. Although separated by more than 2,000 miles, both share a mass amount of similarities.

I'll have to duck the oncoming tomatoes and cabbage heads that will be hurled at me through cyberspace by the hoards of Duke and Notre Dame enthusiasts.  

I say this because not all of the slides will relay a positive message.

Joking aside, both prestigious athletic programs mirror each other in specific instances.

Let's take a look.

Iconic Figureheads

Amidst every triumphant program lies a great leader. In the case of Notre Dame football and Duke basketball, Knute Rockne and Mike Krzyzewski have symbolized that notion with terrific results. 

Rockne is bar none one of the greatest football coaches in the history of the sport.

The Notre Dame leader was revolutionary for his time, as he focused on a pass-happy offense during an era which was predicated upon running the ball. He led Notre Dame to a 105-12-5 record, with three national championships in the process.

If Rockne represents Notre Dame football, then Mike Krzyzewski fits the same bill for Duke basketball.

The legendary icon is Duke basketball. There's no other way of putting it. 

"Coach K" is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball history, compiling a 919-287 record during his 37 years as an instructor. His strong emphasis upon the principles of character, execution and family truly make him special as not only a coach, but as a mentor as well.

When he retires, the emblematic figure will join the likes of Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith and John Wooden in the upper crust of college basketball coaching royalty. 

The Love Affair Media Has with Both Schools

Face it, the media portrays both Duke basketball and Notre Dame football in such a positive light that it's downright unbearable and nauseating at times.

Starting with the preseason rankings, both teams are seemingly placed much higher in the polls than they should be.

Often times (and much to the surprise of Blue Devil and Irish fans in denial), the teams fail to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them before their respective seasons begin.

The media exposure for both schools is also quite vast. Notre Dame is the flagship school for NBC Sports, and I don't think a week goes by during the college basketball season when Duke isn't featured on ESPN in some capacity.

However, the worst perpetrators of this crime are notable analysts on ESPN. 

Duke Vitale, I mean, Dick Vitale, is the absolute definition of the word "homer." I'm thoroughly shocked that he hasn't literally professed his love for Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke basketball program on the air.

It doesn't even matter if Vitale is commentating a contest with Duke involved or not; he'll still manage to give his two cents on "Coach K" and the Blue Devils. A prime example of that can be found here.

The media also does a wonderful job in hyping up Notre Dame as the next "team on the rise" year in and year out.

Hate to break it to you, Irish fans, but here's a tidbit to consider:

In Notre Dame's last 12 bowl games, the Irish have a record of 2-10. Can you say irrelevant?

And please, don't get me started on Lou Holtz...

Academic Prestige

Even if you don't care for athletic programs, there's no denying that both Notre Dame and Duke are fabulous academic institutions. 

Duke is ranked as the 10th-best school nation wide by U.S. News, and Notre Dame comes in at a very respectable 19th. 

In terms of athletics, Notre Dame bests Duke. In 2011, Notre Dame's football team finished first in the entire NCAA in terms of graduation rate.

Overhyped Flops in the Pro Ranks

In correspondence with the media hype machine, Duke and Notre Dame both have their fair share of overrated and overhyped prospects that were victims of circumstance and failed expectations. 

Yes, I realize that every program in the country will have players not pan out the way that they're expected to. But in regards to both schools, each have had multiple players with sky-high expectations that have turned out to be bona fide busts.

In the case of Duke, they've had a good number of players drafted in the NBA lottery that ultimately resulted in becoming journeymen bench players. Shelden Williams and Mike Dunleavy, Jr. are two that come to mind instantly.

In addition, former guard Jay Williams was projected to become a future All-Star. Instead, he was out of the NBA within two seasons due to complications from a motorcycle accident. 

Notre Dame is a bit different. Two former quarterbacks in particular, Ron Powlus and Jimmy Clausen, were expected to lead Notre Dame back to football glory.

Clausen was a much ballyhooed recruit with massive hype, while one pundit predicted that Powlus would win three Heisman Trophies during his tenure in South Bend. Needless to say, neither Clausen nor Powlus came close to fulfilling the huge expectations. 

The characteristic that separates both Duke and Notre Dame from the rest of the college landscape is the mass hype that each program garners annually. It's placed on both individual talent and on the team itself. 

Players drafted extremely high might not have warranted the specific draft position, but their draft stock was aided in the fact that those overrated prospects attended either Notre Dame or Duke. 

Athletic Success

Both programs have been incredibly successful throughout their respective histories. 

Notre Dame football has achieved a stellar 11 national championships to go along with an all-time record of 853-301-42. They've also accumulated seven Heisman Trophy winners and 96 Consensus All-Americans.

Similar to the university in South Bend, Duke basketball has enjoyed much success as well. The Blue Devils have won four National Championships, which ranks fifth all-time. 

The program has also had a ridiculous 36 All-Americans and 11 former Blue Devils that were named National Player of the Year. 

Passionate Fanbases

Within the grandeur and tradition of these programs exist two fabulous and rabid fanbases. 

The Notre Dame network spans the globe, as their heavy Catholic roots resonate with most practicing the faith.

In terms of size, the Golden Domer fanbase is massive. The rich history of the football program is even portrayed through an iconic film. 

Duke's student section, dubbed the "Cameron Crazies," is in a league of i's own. The innovative crowd of students rival a human version of "The Smurfs."

Fully decked out with blue paint and any other blue-themed regalia, the chaotic crowd makes the atmosphere at a Duke home game a true spectacle.

In addition, "Krzyzewskiville" is a built-in community outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium. A smattering of tents dot the periphery of the area as students eagerly await an upcoming basketball contest.   

These two communities have a common link, which would be that there are no real professional teams in the surrounding areas of the campuses. In essence, Duke basketball and Notre Dame football are the professional tickets in Durham and South Bend, respectively.

As a result, there is an unabated and undeniable pride for both the Irish and the Blue Devils. 

No Love Lost with the Irish and the Blue Devils

Are there two programs more despised nationwide other than Notre Dame or Duke?

I didn't think so.

The only arguments come from alums of each respective university, people living in Durham, North Carolina, residents of South Bend, Indiana, Lou Holtz and Dick Vitale. 

I can't really put my finger on it, but there's just something about both Duke and Notre Dame that rubs people the wrong way.

Jealously definitely plays a role with fans of less successful teams, but many avid sports fans (and I'm generalizing) don't like the arrogance and cockiness which resonates from the Irish and the Blue Devils.

A polarizing figure that epitomizes the hatred of Duke is without a doubt former star J.J. Redick. He was absolutely loathed by every opponent's fanbase that Duke squared off against during the guard's illustrious career in Durham. 

Whether it be envy or utter dislike, both Duke and Notre Dame have their fair share of "haters."