Monday, February 24, 2014

The Greatest Rivalry in Sports #UNCvsDuke

Lakers vs. Celtics. Red Sox vs. Yankees. Dodgers vs. Giants. Auburn vs. Alabama. Michigan vs. Ohio State.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the candidates for the 2nd best rivalry in Sports. The spot reserved for the BEST has to be handed to UNC vs DUKE.  No event in sports has the same effect on the sports world as the when the TarHeels face the Blue Devils. I have come to the realization that it is just fact. Yes if you live in any of the cities that represent one of the teams mentioned above, you are probably throwing a hissy fit right now, but just be aware I am a HUGE Lakers and Dodgers fan, from LA, and I have come to the realization that there is just no comparison. The Lakers and Celtics rivalry is over, my 16 year old cousin, and even me for that fact cant really feel the old rivalry of the 80s, we are told to, we try to, but we can't. The Lakers and Celtics don't play enough meaningful games anymore for the rivalry to stay alive. Without getting into it much more, the rest of the rivalries too are just to localized to the regions that they take place, there just are not that many people in Pasadena California that care who wins the Auburn/Alabama game. No one outside of the east coast cares about the Red Sox or Yankees, they may pretend but really NO BODY cares.

Enter Duke VS North Carolina. The Rivalry we all care about, in some way shape or form.
This rivalry is the best for several reasons. 
1) The teams are 9 miles away from each other, and actually hate each other. 
2) The history of the two schools is remarkable. 
3) ESPN always shows their games, so it enables people outside of North Carolina to hate or love them as well. 
4) College is in your blood, meaning the people who went to UNC and Duke are forever connected, and they still care.... A LOT! 
5) It is always entertaining.
6) G-d Cares (according to a former TarHeel Star) 

Location
First off you must understand that the rivalry is not just a sports team rivalry. Have you ever looked at a map of North Caroline, namely a map that includes the Location of UNC and Duke. Check it out. Living this close to someone you don't like, leads to real* hatred! (hate in sports is okay don't be a real hater in life)




Need I say more?

Short history of the Rivalry/Schools. 

The first meeting between the two schools was January 24, 1920. The result UNC 36 Duke 25. Since Then? 236 more meetings. These two teams see each other all the time. Currently they place at least 2 times a season, and potentially once more depending on the ACC tournament. Many claim the real rivalry started after an on court altercation between Duke's Art Heyman and UNC's Larry Brown (yes that Larry Brown). Others say the Rivalry became more heated in the 80's when Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski took over and ESPN started covering the Rivalry and the ACC more closely. Either way, it is now extremely heated between the two teams. I however would like to argue that the rivalry is more than that of just 2 teams hating each other. Over the past 80 years, Duke and North Caroline have been pretty darn good. Additionally, these two teams have combined for 8 national championships over the past 30 years. With that, they have probably beaten your favorite team, a bunch of times. More so they were probably the reason your school didnt make it to the final four. UNC is 1st all time in appearances, Duke is 3rd. So what does that mean? Well it means that you may not actually be rooting for Duke or UNC but you sure as hell are rooting against one of them.


Many have claimed that Duke VS. UNC is a rivalry because of how different the Students, faculty are lifestyle of the two schools are. I believe it, Duke is a Private School and UNC a state school. Kids in Private school act differently that public school kids, have to imagine that plays a role in the actual rivalry between the two schools.

Most Importantly, #UNCvsDuke Turns everyone into a Crazed Fan

The most recent meeting was Feb 20, a game that was delayed 8 days due to a snowstorm. During these extra days I noticed something that made me want to write this short article. 

This Games turns people that we idolize into normal crazy fans just like us. (See Below)

My First example? Famous people betting on twitter.
Bets Rick Fox vs. Grant Hill.
For a quick history refresher. Rick Fox was a star at UNC 88-91. Hill was a star for Duke in 90-92. Fox and Hill played each other 3 times during there college careers, all in the 1990 season. The Blue Devils won both regular season match-ups while the Tarheels beat Duke in the ACC tournament.
So on Feb 20, 2014, this happened.



@realgranthill33 @atv3 @SportsVentz the Devil made you do it Grant -- you hacked your own account -- #cheekyDukey
— Rick Fox (@Rickafox) February 21, 2014

Next, The ICONIC Stuart Scott and Jay Williams.


Rick Fox added some insight into his love for his team.
The Game ended and UNC was victories. Stuart Scott, a die hard UNC fan chimed in on the controversial court storming....
Second Example? OLD PLAYERS NOW IN THE NBA STILL CARE.... A LOT! 







99% Percent of the Time, you will be entertained! See some examples below.






 Lastly, the final reason why this is the greatest rivalry in sports? Its the only game that G-d Cares about.


About me: My name is Steven and I love Basketball. I have recently changed careers and am hoping one day to produce a TV Show on NBATV and a Sports Magazine with a twist.

Follow me at @FunnyNBAGuy


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