Advice for Duke Fans in Wake of UNC's Victory

Today is a tough day for the fans of the boys in royal blue.

While their arch nemesis from down 15-501 celebrate a fifth National Championship, the Duke faithful are facing another summer of questions and Tar Heel fans determined to savor and rub in this victory for a long time.

The answers to those questions can come with the addition of a quality point guard to the Blue Devils' recruiting class and the retention of Gerald Henderson, one of the most explosive players Duke has had in quite some time.

But for now, I'll shy away from the predictions and what ifs of next year, and instead focus on what the Duke fans can do to survive the next few days and weeks to come.

Step One: Keep your mouth closed

UNC fans will do and say anything to get under your skin. This win for them was as much about them being able to wave another title banner under the Duke fans' noses as it was about beating Michigan State.

Your best bet is to acknowledge it with a smile, swallow the vomit that is welling in your throat—or at the very least discretely find some place to let it go.

You don't want to show any signs of cracking under their taunts.

It will do you no good to come back with any retorts because, as clever as they may be, UNC fans have got the "We are the Champs" call. 

That is the ultimate trump card.

Step Two: With no other options, be humble and congratulatory

It does no good to bring up this year's ACC Tournament Championship...especially when UNC fans can boast a National Championship.

As much as it may annoy you that they use the term "We" as if they were somehow part of or affiliated with the team, don't let it affect you. Instead, offer congratulations to their victory and move on.

Step Three: Stay away from making excuses as to why UNC won

Duke fans should avoid the "The refs gave them the game, and/or the "They had an easy road to the championship," arguments.

They aren't rooted in any real facts, as they beat a good Gonzaga team, a very good Oklahoma team, and destroyed the team that destroyed Duke.

If you watched the game, they clearly dominated the Spartans, and if a third of their starting lineup would have fouled out, UNC was going to win this game anyway.

Step Four: Don't be petty

Avoid the "Roy finally won one with his own recruits" criticism. Keep your head up and take the high road.

Don't give the "Wait till next year" speech either. Who knows what next year will really look like in April...seven months before the 2009-2010 season begins?

Step Five: Ask for a little help

Privately pray to whatever deity you so choose that Duke lands a point guard, and that Gerald Henderson stays in Durham. And also hope that the best thing to come from Pandora's Box is an elixir that will help Duke fans make these next few days, weeks and months tolerable.

Step Six: Look on the bright side

Take heart that at least the days of Tyler Hansbrough are finally over in Chapel Hill.

In closing, be strong, Duke fans. Keep your heads up, and, as is often the Duke creed..."On to the next play."