So, Who's Better, Duke or UNC?: Gardner-Webb's Rick Scruggs Says Devils

The last person you would expect to be an expert on Duke or North Carolina would be the coach at Gardner-Webb University.

Following Tuesday night's shellacking at the hands of the Blue Devils, the Running Bulldogs coach, Rick Scruggs was asked for his expertise on the two fierce rivals since his team has now played both schools this season.

In his statement and analysis Scruggs said that without a doubt Duke was the tougher team.

Duke fans are sure to expand their chests as they beat Gardner-Webb by over 40 points. North Carolina fans are sure to be irritated by such a notion seeing as they beat the Bulldogs by more than 20 points in their matchup.

So is a 40-point butt kicking more impressive than a 20-point butt kicking.

I say not really. And while there may be something to Scruggs early season observations that Duke is tougher, it is just early season talk. It means nothing come March.

North Carolina is sure to improve with such a young lineup so judging either team now is a bit premature.

Duke has looked impressive at times, but so has North Carolina. Both teams have also struggled at times as both are incorporating a number of freshmen into their lineups.

North Carolina is clearly the more athletic team in the traditional sense, but Duke has the veteran leadership that is crucial toward the end of the season.

Bottom line is that Duke fans will typically say Duke is better and North Carolina fans will say they are better unless there is a clear disparity between the two, which isn't always that common.

The only way we will truly know who is better is when the two teams play one another in February and March. Only then will we see who the superior team is.

Therefore, there is no need to get too excited if you are a Duke fan, or too frustrated if you are a North Carolina fan. This season is just getting started.