UNC vs. Duke: Top 10 Most Hated Blue Devils of the Past 20 Years

North Carolina and Duke are entering their final preparations for their ultimate showdown tonight in Chapel Hill. They are used to playing each other for pride and bragging rights, but there is something a little more special on the line tonight.

The Atlantic Coast Conference regular season championship.

The Tar Heels and Blue Devils both enter tonight's game tied atop the ACC standings at 13-2, so it all boils down to tonight's regular season finale. At stake is the regular season championship, as well as the No. 1 seed in next week's conference tournament.

Both teams have earned a first-round bye, but that is not enough. Duke beat UNC the first time around, as the youthful 'Heels could not hold onto a 16-point first-half lead. But this time is different.

They are still lead by mostly freshmen and sophomores, but they have grown and matured since their last meeting just one month back.

Harrison Barnes continues to hit big shots. Kendall Marshall completes some of the prettiest passes you will ever see. And John Henson is becoming a block party animal in the paint.

But if they cannot put it all together against Duke tonight, then so much will feel like it has all been for not. 

As North Carolina gets ready to renew the best rivalry in college sports, here is a look back at the 10 most hated UNC opponents from the past two decades.

Spoiler alert: They are all Dukies.

10. Shane Battier

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

15 Mar 2001: Shane Battier #31 of Duke looks on after making a three-pointer during the first round game of the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/ALLSPORT

He wasn't a bad guy. He wore the wrong uniform. But the flops. Oh my, oh my, the flops. He had it down to an exact science.

Then again, how many reasons do Tar Heel fans really need to hate Duke players?

None whatsoever.

9. Jon Scheyer

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Jon Scheyer #20 of the Duke Blue Devils gets set to attempt a shot against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Ind

I know he wouldn't make many people's lists, but he is on mine.

I don't even know how to explain this one. I just couldn't stand him. I guess I don't like guys who just sit around and wait to take an open three-pointer. It is ruining college basketball.

I guess that is just one more great reason to despise Duke. It is all they seem to do at times.

But boy, could he shoot.

Just for the wrong team.

8. Steve Wojciechowski

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

15 Mar 1998: Guard Steve Wojciechowski of the Duke Blue Devils in action during an NCAA Tournament game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport

Get a longer name, why don't you?

And slap another floor. Do you really think that made you play better defense? I couldn't stand you either.

The only reason you were originally recruited was so that the coach wouldn't have the hardest name to spell.

7. Josh McRoberts

Paul Abell/Getty Images

ATLANTA - JANUARY 10: Forward/center Josh McRoberts #2 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on January 10, 2007 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech defeated Duke 74-63.

Seriously. Just look at that mug.

Maybe it's because I always felt he was so overrated. All he had was size, and it pains me to say that he is currently Tyler Hansbrough's teammate with the Indiana Pacers.

He was just always so dopey looking.

Still is, I suppose.

6. Cherokee Parks/Erik Meek

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

26 MARCH 1994: DUKE''S CHEROKEE PARKS CELEBRATES AFTER MAKING A SLAM DUNK TO PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON PURDUE DURING THE NCAA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. DUKE WON, 69-60, TO ADVANCE TO THE FINAL FOUR IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA. Mandatory Cre

Their names. Their hair. Their goofy looking expressions on the court.

The only reason I almost excluded them or ranked them lower was because it was at a time when Duke was absolutely awful when these two played their best.

Still...

5. Bobby Hurley

Ken Levine/Getty Images

A PORTRAIT OF SACRAMENTO KINGS GUARD BOBBY HURLEY, SHOWN HERE IN 1992 WITH THE DUKE UNIVERSITY BLUE DEVILS.

Didn't you just want to punch him in the face? I certainly did, and I know for a fact that I am not alone.

4. Christian Laettner

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

DECEMBER 7: Christian Laettner #32 of the Duke University Blue Devils prepares to shoot a free throw during a NCAA game against Canisius College in December 7, 1991. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

I know that he is the number one man on so many lists.

His last second desperation shot to beat Kentucky. He is also on their list for that and stepping on Aminu Timberlake's chest during that game.

His extreme arrogance. His pretty boy haircut. Being selected to play on the original U.S. Dream Team in the Olympics.

Surprising now, even to me, that he is only number four on this list.

3. Gerald Henderson

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 08: Gerald Henderson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils walks by Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 8, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Leck

We all know why.

His cheap-shot elbow against Tyler Hansbrough in the ACC regular season finale that hurt the Tar Heels in the NCAA tournament with Hansbrough having to wear that mask. I think it turned out to be the sole reason why UNC did not win the title that year.

I will never forget it, and neither will any other North Carolina fan. Coack K sent him in like the goon he was.

How Michael Jordan could have drafted him is still like a swift kick in the midsection.

2. J.J. Redick

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: J.J. Redick #4 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a three-point basket against the Boston College Eagles during the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament on March 12, 2006 at the Greensbor

This was an easy call, after you read number one on the list.

Redick is the most hated player in history from my standpoint, and I know I have some company with this selection as well.

Henderson was a dirty player, but Redick may have been an even bigger punk. He was one of those types of kids who would yell something from down the street and then go run and hide in his house so you couldn't get back at him.

He was so easy to hate that I think he actually enjoyed being the villain. He was just so good at nailing big shots that it made it even easier to loathe him, and he loved every minute of it from the crowd.

1. Mike Krzyzewski

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with fans after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 79-73 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2011 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

How could he not be at the top of every list?

This was the easiest no-brainer selection of them all.

He is not a bad coach. I have to give him credit for that much.

But he encourages whining. He encourages dirty play. Then he comes off as so soft and caring.

I can't even put it all into words.

Who Else Could Make the List Following Tonight's Huge Showdown?

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 09: John Henson #31 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2011 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter

Will we be able to add any names to this list after tonight? 

What about if these two teams meet in the ACC Tournament? Or better yet...

...the NCAA Tournament?

Wouldn't that be great?

Finally, who else could have been included on this list?