I had the pleasure of watching Monday night’s National Championship game between Duke and Butler with two of the more knowledgeable college basketball fans I know. Collectively, we have watched almost 70 years of college hoops. It should be noted that both guys are true Carolina blue Tar Heels fans, so once the game tipped off, it quickly became apparent to me that my two friends, along with myself, were not just rooting for the Bulldogs, we were cheering against Duke.
Why Such A Hate-On For Duke?
We cheered when Avery Jukes 3-pointer with 3:42 in the first half erased a 6-point Blue Devils lead, putting Butler up 27-26. The cheering continued with Butler just 1 point down at the half. And we basically tried to will Gordon Hayward’s last two attempts through the basket.
If Hayward somehow could have nailed either that baseline fadeaway jumper or his desperation last second halfcourt heave in the game’s final moments, we would’ve witnessed one of the three most shocking upsets in NCAA Tournament history – joining the ranks of Villanova over Georgetown in 1985, and Texas Western’s shocking win over Kentucky in 1966.
David almost slayed Goliath. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be. The Indianapolis faithful at Lucas Oil Stadium – as well as my buddies and I – all went home disappointed. I realized afterward we literally would have voted for any team – including the Hells Angels – to knock off the Blue Devils.
But after a night of thinking it over, I realized something. This Duke squad had to overcome a lot of challenges this season, the kind of challenges that would’ve had me cheering for any other team presented with them. Clearly these aren’t Christian Laettner’s Blue Devils – the individual players from the ‘09-’10 edition are actually likable and humble. I couldn’t find any good reason to dislike them, so instead, I came up with five reasons why fans of the college game should no longer hate Duke (except maybe for you Tar Heels fans).
Duke Has Now Won 4 National Titles In Last 20 Years
1) Coach K
If you love team basketball, you gotta love Coach K, who always puts his players and school above himself. Many outside observers wonder how a Duke team devoid of superstar talent can make the Final Four, until they realize that one of the greatest coaches – and winners – in College Basketball history is indeed the man with the Navy suit. Not to mention, when USA Basketball needed a coach to forge their 12 superstars into a cohesive team, they called on Coach K, bypassing dozens of NBA coaches in the process. This guy is truly a legend.
2) Brian Zoubek
You have to pull for a player like Zoubek. Why? Perseverance. He arrived in Durham as one of the top high school recruits in 2006. But for 3½ seasons his career was underwhelming, due largely in part to foot injuries. It’s rare that a 7’1″ Senior has that underdog quality, but with Zoubek there was a genuine feeling that his career would never get off the ground. That all changed in February, when Zoubek, making his first start of this season, hauled in 17 rebounds versus Maryland. The big Center’s effort that day helped turn around his team’s season. Fast forward to Monday night, where it became clear how his presence in the middle – and huge defensive plays at the end of the Championship game – were instrumental in Duke taking home the National Title.
3) Nolan Smith
The Junior Guard tragically lost his father – former NBA guard and NCAA champion Derek Smith – to a heart attack fourteen years ago. But for Smith, losing his father (at age 34) became the inspiration for excelling at basketball and life. Over the past couple of seasons, fans of the father have quickly become fans of the son, as he tries to write his own basketball story. His latest chapter – NCAA National Champion.
Duke's Seniors Were Key To Their Championship Run
4) Duke’s Seniors
At the core of this team is the group of men that buy into the program for four years, putting ‘team’ ahead of individual accomplishment, and ultimately graduating. In an era of ‘one and done’ superstars who blow through a team and depart of their freshman season, often leaving chaos and even NCAA investigations in their wake, it is refreshing and inspiring to see that Duke had three senior starters of this year’s squad. Just ask UK fans if they could have used some Senior leadership in their Elite Eight loss to West Virginia. Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Jon Scheyer suffered through some humbling experiences as freshman and sophomores, but ultimately their experience was instrumental and crucial to Duke’s success.
5. The Program
Love them or hate them, you have to appreciate the continuity of the Duke program. Coach K routinely turns down multi-million dollar NBA offers to stay in Durham. His assistants are basically all former Dukies, who turn down lesser jobs to serve long apprenticeships on the Duke sideline, leaving only when a great job is offered. And all this without ever a hint of NCAA sanctions.
After all is said and done, I am left with a tremendous respect for this year’s Blue Devils team and Duke Basketball as a whole. Four National Titles in 20 years is an impressive feat.
Now if only they could get rid of those annoying Cameron Crazies, I might find myself actually cheering for them one day.
I admire your bravado making an article praising Duke. But my mind is made up to continue to cheer against this school. Just a gut thing. Go Razorbacks. The glory days will return.