Coach K Sued!

and with just cause I must say. I'm certain Mike Nifong would take this case, if he could.

Filed in the US District Court Western District of Virginia at Roanoke
Jonathan Lee Riches; John Chaney
Plaintiff’s
V
Mike Krzyzewski
Duke Blue Devils Basketball team
Defendants

I have no pillow and a hard mattress in solitary so my neck hurts and defendants won’t help me with my back pain; this is a civil rights violation. I seek $13.7 million and a blanket cause I’m freezing
Temporary restraining order
Respectfully submitted- Jonathan Lee Riches

Hmm, John Chaney's been getting into trouble since he retired.
But it's seriously good to know that UNC grads are out there, exercising their constitutional rights and can mail a letter.

You can read and see the pdf file here.
from Duke Basketball Report
(and is it screwed up that this guy can spell K's last name better than I can?)

[UPDATE- and it seems like our Johnny Lee Riches is quite infamous. And clever..or crazy.Probably crazy; naughty boy forgot his meds]

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Crank Dat Dwight

(I’m not sure what “crankin” is but it probably fits)
Remember when it was predicted that if Dwight Howard were to lob the basketball bounce it off the backboard with his left hand and dunk it with his right that he would win?
Well that dunk did get thrown down and the prediction was correct but as I’m sure you know if you care the dunk that won it for him was when he donned a Superman costume and actually seemed to fly so high that he could throw down the dunk with intense force (though to be nitpicky is it actually a dunk if you don’t touch the rim)



I didn’t see the contest last night but I dvr’d it and to be honest I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun watching like a “skill contest” I mean I was actually laughing out loud at some of the stunts, like the whole birthday cake thing, which was just so unique and enjoying it so much that the guy I was with got a big kick out of it just by enjoying my enjoyment (and the fact I usually don’t laugh that much without the aid of some substance)
Here’s the contest in case you didn’t see it
Part 1

Round 2 (the Superman Dunk is at about 7:23)

and the Finals


A few thoughts:

• when Gerald Green dunked in his socks I know that that;s physically hard to do but following the “lob the basketball bounce it off the backboard with his left hand and dunk it with his right dunk” which was just so big and in Kenny’s Top 5 dunks it was like why bother (and when Magic said something like “why did he do the same dunk?” and someone noticed that Daryl Dawkins had knocked Green’s shoes off the table in seeming contempt I was dying)
• The reason Gerald Green lost was because he had Rashad McCants help him and Rashad is just all around horrible
• Dr. J with his grey hair and beard looked so distinguished I kind of wished he could be our first black president
• Does Magic eat other HIV + people? Is that what keeps him healthy? because not only does he look incredibly healthy but he’s just so huge my mom calls him fat
  
• the fan voting was a good idea but next time they need to learn how to fill those five minutes better- maybe have somebody perform or something but after Dwight’s dunks and in the interval until he was officially the winner there was like a commercial and a noticeable draining of energy and excitement. Just something to work on.
• that may have been the dunk contest to end all dunk contests but it definitely won't be the last, sorry Scoop
  
• And finally how in the world is anyone going to be able to top this for next year’s contest? I can't wait to see them try

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Kyle Singler’s a Badass

But even I didn’t understand to what degree that was true until I read SI’s College Basketball Power Rankings and their entry on Duke

"Kyle Singler is the Blue Devils' leading rebounder and, far more impressively, their leading stitch recipient: according to the Winston-Salem Journal, the freshman forward has already had 23 stitches this season. A UNC student who was standing near my press-row seat at the Feb. 6 game told Singler -- amid a string of expletives -- to "go play hockey" instead of hoops. I had interviewed a pre-stitches Singler for SI's preview issue back in October in Durham, and when I saw him in the locker room following that win over the Tar Heels, he looked incredibly different. Among the changes were a sewed-up chin, cuts above and under his eyes, and welts all over. Duke has earned a rep for flopping, but there's plenty of physical evidence that Singler is absorbing ungodly amounts of real contact."

Here are some other juicy bits in praise of "our Fair and Handsome Kyle" from that Journal article

"Kyle Singler will turn 20 on May 4, and his best competitive birthdays are almost certainly ahead. He’s a 6-8 freshman on the roster, but years beyond that in basketball wisdom.

As the season expands, so does the range of Singler’s game.
“Right now I’m more comfortable on the court,” Singler said. “I’m seeing more things. Whether it’s through practice or whatever, the game’s slowing down and I’m picking up my reads a lot quicker.”

Singler doesn’t look venomous, even with the dab of red chin hair covering another site of surgical stitches. He leads the Blue Devils with 23 stitches since arriving from Oregon last summer, mainly because he’ll stick his chin anywhere.

Freshmen are supposed to hit the wall earlier than veterans. Singler has begun scaling the wall instead, making him a leading contender for the ACC’s rookie award.

[Coach K] recently compared Singler to freshman Shane Battier, except that Battier played with superb scorers and concentrated on other matters. When Coach K reconsidered, he portrayed Singler as a mix between Battier and Mike Dunleavy, a fine outside shooter as a fuzzy-chinned freshman.

“Kyle, the last three weeks, has gone to another level,” Krzyzewski said. “Forget about freshman of the week. He’s one of the better players in the league now. He brings tremendous versatility, competitiveness and toughness. He can shoot, defend, pass - and he’s a winner. He’s got it all, and it’s just a matter of physical maturity now. He’s a young body, but he doesn’t have a young heart.”

Yeah he's pretty fly for a(n incredibly) white guy. Oh Kyle, you had me at "Maui Invitational MVP"

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Notes on a Victory

89-78
and maybe the sky isn't Carolina Blue after all

An e-mail I wrote just as the game was ending:

y'know how everyone says about Duke-UNC that they hate but respect the other side? well i always thought that was bs. but then i realized as i was in my apartment living and dying with every call and unable to sit down for the last ten minutes that i there were probably carolina fans doing the exact same thing and we were both living and dying in the same moments and we had some connection and I could respect that. I still hate them but I can respect that passion. It must be like what opposing sides in war feel- hate but mutual respect earned on a razor's edge.

Because it was so true-I am not able to watch a Duke game of any importance with my friends out here and so last night I didn’t even try. I just locked myself in my apartment, turned off the lights, so I could rock back and forth, curse and yell at the tv, scare my cats into the other room over whatever their crazy mommy was doing, hopping up and doing strange dancings after each big play-I’m sure if I had been filmed I would have looked totally Brit to the outside observer.
But I now I just know that every other Duke fan and every other Carolina was feeling it so intensely as well and they would be the only ones who could actually understand what it means to have, for a few hours a game mean more than breathing.
It’s fantastic, especially when you win.
To Hate Like This is To Be Happy Forever


Barry Jacobs’ Take
Convention And Carolina Take A Beating

This was no classic moment in a cherished series, no game to remember for its twists and turns, its suspense and drama. Then again, what emerged from Duke’s 89-78 victory over the homestanding Tar Heels, the most points scored against North Carolina this year, will likely shape the remainder of the 2008 ACC regular season race.

And, most assuredly, the first clash between the ACC’s reigning powers will bolster each team’s expectation of success when they re-engage a month from now at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke continues to emerge as what coach Mike Krzyzewski said is a “very unconventional team,” finding its strength where others might see weakness. Basketball is usually played from the inside out – getting high-percentage interior shots and earning trips to the foul line have been coaching staples for a century. But this Blue Devil squad has inverted the formula, its success indicated by a 20-1 record, eight wins and no losses in the ACC, and a No. 2 standing in the national polls.

Krzyzewski has been informed by his sojourn as head coach of the U.S. Olympic team, where he trades ideas and stratagems with professional colleagues Mike D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns and Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers, among others.

Instead of trying to force his 2007-08 squad into a mold that did not readily fit, Krzyzewski altered the mold.

These Blue Devils attack from the outside in, either by shot or drive. Leave too much space and Duke begins firing from the perimeter. Guard too closely and the Devils take the ball to the basket, garnering layups and fouls or passing unselfishly to a dangerous cadre of shooters who lurk around the 3-point arc like buzzards circling a promising snack.

Duke employed its preferred approach from the outset at the Smith Center, unleashing a barrage of 3-pointers against the more conventionally configured Tar Heels.

North Carolina feeds the ball assiduously to the low post, where Tyler Hansbrough wreaks havoc on defenses and Deon Thompson provides stylish accompaniment. Against Duke, 17 of the Heels’ first 23 points came from that pair.

Clemson extended UNC to overtime a month ago by deploying its deep corps of powerful frontline players to stifle Hansbrough. The arrangement essentially dared other Heels to pick up the scoring slack. Wing Wayne Ellington responded to the tune of 36 points, a personal best, as UNC won by a basket.

Duke made a different choice. With limited options in the low post, it harassed Hansbrough but ceded sufficient room for him to contribute 28 points and 18 rebounds. “The kid’s a great player,” Krzyzewski said. “He takes competitiveness to the highest level.”

Aided greatly by the absence of injured UNC playmaker Ty Lawson, the Blue Devils’ aggressive perimeter defense kept the remainder of the Tar Heels off balance. Exclude Hansbrough, and the Heels made a third of their shots (16-of-48).

“We knew Tyler was going to score the ball, but one of the keys to the game was that really no one else scored points or really did much,” said Duke freshman Kyle Singler. He contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds matched against Hansbrough. “We stand by our defense with great ball pressure, contesting the wings, just force people to be uncomfortable.”

North Carolina’s chief outside threats, Ellington and Danny Green, were a combined 1-11 on threes. Neither scored enough to threaten the two-basket working margin the Blue Devils maintained for most of the second half.

“We weren’t patient,” Roy Williams said of his UNC squad. “I thought we rushed our shots. We didn’t make them play defense.”

Duke also forced 20 turnovers, one short of North Carolina’s season high, and thereby negated any disadvantage on the boards. UNC's young big men Thompson, who fouled out in 18 minutes, and Alex Stepheson, with five turnovers and no assists, were repeatedly caught in uncomfortable situations away from the basket on both offense and defense.

The Devils themselves appeared relatively at ease amid the Dean Dome din. They took the lead for good midway through the period by hitting four consecutive 3-pointers, part of an 8-for-16 onslaught in the period. On the night, Duke hit 13 of 29 from long range, 44.8 percent accuracy. Junior guard Greg Paulus was 6 of 8 on threes, the highest output of his career.

“They got any shot they wanted,” Williams groused. “I don’t know very many times tonight that our defense dictated what shots they got.”

The North Carolina coach did pronounce himself “very impressed” with Duke, however. “They’ve got great chemistry,” he said. “The most disciplined team won the game tonight. The team that did most of the little things well won the game tonight.”

Clearly, though, the absence of Lawson, North Carolina fleet point guard, altered the equation. “You want everybody” able to play, Krzyzewski said. “And certainly you want the quickest point guard in the country to be playing. That has to hurt, no question about it.”

So Duke emerged with a victory, a two-game lead in the ACC race, and the confidence it can defeat UNC even on its home court. The Tar Heels came away from the game knowing that, with the return of Lawson, their catalytic agent, they will be a different and probably better team the next time they face the Blue Devils.

No doubt,but then it’ll be in The Greatest Place on Earth, Cameron Indoor. I can't hardly wait

This may interest only me but, then again most of the stuff on this site probably only interests me.
Here are some game notes from GoDuke.com

No. 2 Duke defeated No. 3 North Carolina, 89-78, on February 6, 2008, at the Dean Smith Center. Duke improves to 20-1 overall and 8-0 in the ACC while the Tar Heels fall to 21-2 and 6-2, respectively.

Series Notes

• Duke snaps a three-game win streak by UNC in the series, including a one-game streak in the Smith Center, and Duke now trails 127-97 overall and 13-10 in Smith Center all-time In ACC regular season play, Duke trails 85-76 in regular season conference play, including trailing 58-30 in Chapel Hill
• Coach Mike Krzyzewski improves to an even 32-32 against North Carolina. [Ed. Note: Yay K!]
  
• Duke’s 10 wins at the Smith Center are the most by any opponent in UNC history. In the ACC, Maryland has eight wins here, N.C. State five, Wake Forest four, Florida State and Georgia Tech three, Virginia two, Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech one apiece and Clemson has not won at the Smith Center.
• Wednesday marked the 125th straight game that at least one team was ranked in the AP poll and 143 of the 159 match-ups since the inception of the AP poll in 1947-48. When both teams are ranked, Duke leads the series 32-31, including a 25-18 mark under Coach K. Duke is 20-18 when both teams are ranked in the Top 10 and now 3-3 when both teams are ranked in the Top 3.

Milestones

• Duke’s 20-1 record through 20 games matches the best start in school history.
• Duke now has 43 seasons with 20 or more wins, including 23 under Coach K and a streak of 12 straight seasons.
• Duke now has 33 wins against teams ranked in the Top 3 of the AP poll.

Win Streaks & Records

• Duke has won 10 straight games overall and all eight of its ACC games at the mid-point of the conference season.
• Duke is 8-0 in the ACC this season and now has a two-game lead in the ACC standings with North Carolina holding onto second place at 6-2.
• Duke has now played in front of a sold out venue in 225 of its last 263 games.
• Duke has won 24 of its last 34 games when both teams ranked in the Top 10 of the AP poll.
• Duke is now 19-11 in 30 games under Coach K when both teams are ranked in the Top 5 of the AP poll.

Duke In February

• Duke is now 488-258 all-time in February, including 161-60 under Coach K. Duke has won six of its last seven and is 65-20 since 1997-98.
• Duke is 3-1 vs. UNC on Feb. 6, including 3-0 all-time in Chapel Hill. The last Duke-UNC game on Feb. 6 was 48 years ago. Overall on Feb. 6, Duke is 16-13 on this date, including 4-2 under Coach K.

Team Highs & Lows

• Duke scored a UNC opponent season high 89 points.
• With 27 free throws, Duke matched UNC’s opponent high for the season.
• Duke’s 47 points matched the most given up by North Carolina in a half this season.
  

Duke Offense

• Duke was 13-of-29 from long distance against North Carolina, marking the ninth time this season the Blue Devils have connected on 10 or more from behind the arc and Duke is 9-0 in those games.
• Duke had six players score in double figures including all five starters and Jon Scheyer off the bench. It was just the second game all season that six Blue Devils scored in double figures along with seven players in the season opener against N.C. Central.
• Duke’s bench outscored North Carolina’s bench 22-4, including 17 points from Scheyer.

Duke Defense

• Duke held North Carolina to just 3-of-17 from behind the arc, extending its streak to all eight ACC games holding opponents to four or less three-pointers. In ACC games, Duke’s opponents have connected on 28-of-101 (.277) from behind the arc.
• Duke forced 20 turnovers from the Blue Devils while allowing 17 assists. It marked the 11th time this season Duke’s opponent has had 20 or more turnovers and is the 18th time in 21 games that Duke’s opponent has had more turnovers than assists.
• Duke had 11 steals against North Carolina, marking the sixth time in eight ACC games Duke has had 10 or more steals. Duke is averaging 10.4 steals per game in ACC action.
• Duke held North Carolina to 28-of-69 (.406) from the field, marking the 18th time this season Duke has held its opponent under 50 percent. Under Coach K, Duke has accomplished that feat 693 times in 925 games and is 613-80 in those game.
• Duke was outrebounded by North Carolina by nine but were down 10 in the category at halftime. Duke outrebounded North Carolina 22-21 in the second half.

Coach K

• Coach K is now 795-262 as a head coach, ranking sixth on the NCAA wins chart and second among active coaches. Only Eddie Sutton, who is fifth overall and tops among active coaches with 800 wins is ahead of him while first overall is Coach K’s college coach the recently retired Bob Knight, with 902 wins.
• With 795 career wins in his first 33 seasons, Coach K is currently second on the NCAA’s list of most victories in a coaches’ first 33 season. He trails Dean Smith, who had 802 wins through 33 seasons.
• Coach K now has 795 wins in 1,057 career games and is looking to become the third-fastest coach to 800 wins based on number of games. Adolph Rupp (972) and Dean Smith (1,029) are already out of reach and Bob Knight is currently third, accomplishing the feat in (1,102 games).
• Coach K now has 722 wins at Duke and ranks seventh on the NCAA’s chart for most wins at one school. In sixth place is DePaul’s Ray Meyer with 724. Coach K is also second among active coaches behind Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim (765).

DeMarcus Nelson

• The senior scored 13 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the line with the majority of those down the stretch, and added five assists, four rebounds and a steal in just 23 minutes with foul trouple.
• Nelson now has 1,160 career points and surpassed Carroll Youngkin (1959-71 – 1,154) to move into 39th on Duke’s career scoring chart. Immediately ahead is Tommy Amaker (1984-87 – 1,168).
• Nelson now has 18 games in double figures this season including six straight and 13 of his last 14, and in 61 career games.

Greg Paulus

• The junior led Duke with 18 points, connecting on 6-of-9 from the field and was 6-of-8 from behind the arc. He recorded a season-high tying four steals and added three assists and three rebounds, as well.
• He now has 11 games in double figures this season, including five straight (and 10 straight games with nine-plus points). He now has 43 career games in double figures.
• Paulus now has six games with three or more steals this season and 16 such games in his career.
• Paulus now has eight games this season with three or more three-pointers and 21 such games in his career.

Jon Scheyer

• The sophomore scored 17 points, including 7-of-8 from the line and 2-of-4 from behind the arc. He added six rebounds, three assist and three steals in 33 minutes off the bench.
• Scheyer now has 12 games in double figures, including his first in the last five games, and 34 double figure scoring games in his career.
• Scheyer’s three steals is a season high and the fifth time in his career he’s had three or more steals.

Kyle Singler

• The freshman had 14 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes while shooting 5-of-11 from the field, 3-of-6 from long range, and 1-of-2 from the line. He added two assists, two blocks and two rebounds.
• Singler has 15 games scoring in double figures, including three straight and seven of his last eight.
• Singler now has three games with 10 or more rebounds and three double-doubles, as well.
• Singler now has four games with three or more threes on the season and he has hit at least one three in nine straight games, the third longest streak in the ACC.
• Singler matched his season best with two steals.

Gerald Henderson

• The sophomore scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out three assists and had two steals against the Tar Heels.
• Henderson now has 17 games scoring in double figures this season, including seven of the last eight, and 24 in his career.
• Henderson was just one rebound shy of his career high of eight.

Lance Thomas

• The sophomore scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and had two blocks in 25 minutes while shooting 5-of-7 from the field against North Carolina.
• Thomas matched his season high for points and now has two games in double figures and five in his career.
• Thomas recorded a new career high with two blocks.
• Thomas matched his season high with five rebounds.

With The Win, Duke Improved To...

• 1,841-805 all-time, including 722-203 under Coach K
• 504-270 all-time in ACC regular season play, including 280-123 under Coach K and 149-35 since 1996-97
• 830-470 all-time against current members of the ACC
• Duke is 171-43 outside of Cameron since 1997-98 and 80-24 in road contests and 85-24 in ACC road play since 1997-98
• 240-240 all-time vs. ranked teams, including 160-110 under Coach K and 44-18 against ACC ranked teams since 1997-98
• Duke improves to 12-21 vs. the No. 3 ranked team in the AP poll all time.
• 253-47 this decade, more wins than any other team in the NCAA
• 899-227 all-time as a ranked team all-time, including 104-15 as the No. 2 team, 391-73 as a Top 3 team, 481-89 as a Top 5 and 757-170 as a Top 10 team

Oh and that's a 2 game lead in the ACC, most practically.
And with that this should be my first and only Carolina post of the day…unless of course

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My Carolina Gameday Mix

It’s Carolina Day the first of the two most important scheduled days of a Dukie’s year, it's almost a sacred day consecrated with the hate of generations so you have to excuse me for being a little (obsessed) focused.

Go Devils! We're gonna win tonight, Carolina, go to hell! Eat sh*t!"

Songs I listen to before the game to get me inspired
Europe- The Final Countdown [download]
DMX-It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot [download]
John Williams-Duel of The Fates [download]
AC/DC- Hell’s Bells [download]
AC/DC- For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) [download]
Duke University Marching Band- Mystery Track [download]


To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever

If you can’t go to college go to State
If you can’t go to State go to jail
If you can’t go to jail go to Hell
Go To Hell Carolina, Go To Hell! (Eat Shit!)

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Mike Tyson Always Gets Me Pumped Up

"Lennox is a conqueror? No. I'm Alexander, he's no Alexander. I'm the best ever. There's never been anybody as ruthless. I'm Sonny Liston. I'm Jack Dempsey, there's no one like me - I'm from their cloth. There's no one that can match me. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!"

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It’s Kind of a Big Deal

It’s Carolina Day the first of the two most important scheduled days of a Dukie’s year, it's almost a sacred day consecrated with the hate of generations so you have to excuse me for being a little (obsessed) focused.

DBR

Christian Laettner used to say that the Duke-UNC game day had a different feel than any other. He’s right. Waking up and knowing that game is today is a lot like the feeling kids get on Easter Sunday.

It’s not that you’re going to get a bunch of candy, although an Easter basket is a fine way to start a new spring day. There’s just a special feeling about the day, and you don’t have to be particularly religious to feel it.
So for those of us in the Triangle, we wake up a bit giddy, and it doesn’t take long to get out of bed, and we watch the clock drag around in circles until the appointed time arrives.

It’s still kind of amazing to think that it’s such a big deal nationally. We sort of know this, but for us here, it’s a local thing.

Barry Jacobs
Carolina-Duke Rivalry Defines Us

For those joining our communal life already in progress, this is a pinnacle moment during winter in North Carolina. We are ready for Duke and North Carolina to play a basketball game.

This is the event, or more accurately the first of two annually scheduled games, that kindles the greatest wealth of memories and fuels the greatest passions and interest among residents in our neck of the woods. Other contests come and go, but this is the game we count on to be played fiercely, well, and without notable diminution of concentration or effort for as many minutes as the action lasts.

This is the clash that causes old-timers to reminisce most avidly, rattling off names, situations, plays, and results with the fervor of parents bragging on their children.

This is the game we savor, measure seasons by, analyze endlessly before and after the fact. Only the final score is not subject to reinterpretation.

The fine women’s programs at Chapel Hill and Durham actually have performed at a higher level than the men in recent seasons. Yet few people in North Carolina gave Monday’s meeting of ranked women’s squads at Cameron Indoor Stadium more than a passing thought. It was a Duke-Carolina game, but not THE Duke-Carolina game.

Tar Heel coach Sylvia Hatchell reportedly felt it necessary to manufacture a celebration after her squad won handily on national television. She directed the team bus to downtown Chapel Hill, then led a few of her players in throwing toilet paper into two trees. That’s a bit like nominating yourself for an award; the only recognition Hatchell received was a police warning for littering and an admonition to clean up.

Back at Cameron, humbled (well, OK, unhappy) Duke students endured a large contingent of UNC fans whooping it up after the poised Tar Heel women dismantled the Blue Devils. The Crazies replied by chanting, “Wait ‘Til Wednesday!”

That being the day of the first men’s clash. So, there!

Last March a bit of real blood was added to the proverbial bad blood such rivalries generate -- at least among fans – when Gerald Henderson felled North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough with 14.5 seconds remaining in a decisive Tar Heel victory at Chapel Hill.

Hansbrough’s nose was broken by Henderson’s apparently inadvertent blow, requiring the UNC star to wear an uncomfortable protective mask for a handful of games. Video of the foul was replayed endlessly on TV and the Web, and post-game comments were scrutinized like courtroom testimony.

Newcomers may have heard or read something about this incident.

The foul, and feeling about it, elevated the level of anticipation for this year’s initial meeting a few notches above normal.

Normal being a controlled frenzy.

This is big stuff. This is so big, TV’s Dick Vitale aimed his on-air return from throat surgery to coincide with a game he has helped hype to the heavens. This is so big, even Vitale cannot overblow the stature of the rivalry.

Now, to his credit, Vitale may be, oh, shall we say, a bit bombastic, but he does his homework. The man knows an argument can be made that no rivalry in American sports equal this one in terms of talented players and coaches, extensive history, depth of fan interest, and consistent quality of competition.

In fact, the high level of competition in UNC-Duke men’s games could serve as a definition of consistent excellence. Since the advent of the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 1953-54 season, Duke and UNC have met in men’s basketball 143 times. Of those contests, only 3 saw neither team ranked in the top 20 in the AP poll.

That’s one in every 48 games, or 2.1 percent of the time, in which neither team was considered among the nation's best. The last such meeting occurred on February 27, 1960. That is five weeks after N.C. State head coach Sidney Lowe was born, and preceding the birth of three other ACC men’s coaches.

By contrast, in 25 of 143 games (about one in every six), either Duke or Carolina was ranked first in the country. Included was the opener of the Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center in January 1986, won by the top-ranked Tar Heels over No. 3 Duke.

Prior to this season, both squads ranked in the top 10 when they met on 37 occasions, a little better than one game in every four. In such circumstances, the higher-ranked team wins about half the time. Duke is currently #2, North Carolina #3.

Wednesday’s game has the usual tangle of subplots.

Opponents repeatedly try to pound the slighter, perimeter-oriented Blue Devils, who have taken to counting the stitches needed to close their respective wounds. Can Mike Krzyzewski’s aggressive, denial man-to-man defense keep the Tar Heels from getting good looks at the post, where Hansbrough lurks as an often-dominant presence?

North Carolina has been impressive, but not consistently. Will Roy Williams’ Heels be able to prosecute their usual offensive onslaught, best in the ACC, if an ankle injury limits playmaker Ty Lawson’s surpassing quickness with the ball? If Lawson can't play, will a compensatory hero emerge?

And did we mention something about an incident involving Hansbrough and Henderson?

UNC’s Wayne Ellington was Henderson’s high school teammate at The Episcopal Academy in Pennsylvania, and vouches for his friend’s good nature. The Tar Heel sophomore helped facilitate a few informal games this summer at the Smith Center involving players from the respective squads. Hansbrough and Henderson played in one of them.

“I feel like we have a good enough relationship where we can play pickup,” Hansbrough said recently. The junior insisted the collision of nose and elbow was a matter relegated to the past.

Not for fans, however.

Given the likelihood of ambient hostility, it would be a surpassing act of sportsmanship, and a welcome one, if Hansbrough made a point of publicly shaking hands with Henderson prior to the game. The competition will be sufficiently heated without the taint of hatred.

Then again, harboring grudges, nurturing past slights, aching to get even, is also integral to a rivalry. Wednesday’s loser is sure to begin looking forward to March 8 as soon as the blood, er, perspiration dries. That’s when North Carolina travels to Durham for round two.

Duke-UNC, Round 1
From Duke Blue Planet

A warm, sunny day in Durham welcomes the 224th meeting between Duke and UNC. All of the coverage and hype has focused primarily on Gerald Henderson, Ty Lawson, style of play, and the return of Dick Vitale, overlooking the most important storyline of the game -- the ACC regular-season implications. Duke and UNC have jumped ahead of the pack as we approach today's eight-game midway point in the league. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels have combined for just one ACC loss while every other conference squad has at least three losses in the league. Duke or UNC has won or shared 14 of the past 17 ACC regular-season titles and today's game will have a significant impact on the continuation of that trend.

Duke/UNC in the Polls

• Since the ACC made its debut in 1953, Duke and UNC have met in men’s basketball 143 times. Just three of those 143 games (2.1 percent) saw neither team ranked in the top 20 of the AP Poll. The last such meeting occurred on February 27, 1960.
• In 25 of the 143 games (about one in every six), either Duke or UNC was ranked first in the country.
• Prior to this season, both teams ranked in the top 10 when they met on 37 occasions (26 percent of the time).
• For the sixth time since 1986, Duke and UNC and will meet with both teams ranked among the top three in the country.

Go to Hell Carolina.

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One Man's Opinion

It’s Carolina Day the first of the two most important scheduled days of a Dukie’s year, it's almost a sacred day consecrated with the hate of generations so you have to excuse me for being a little (obsessed) focused.

This is Seth Davis’ column from SI on The Game and…I really don’t like people picking us. I enjoy when Duke flies under the radar (well as much as Duke ever can especially when ranked #2 in the country) but all the talk today seems to be about Shaq going to the Suns (please!) and “National Signing Day” which is apparently a big deal.
Anyway here is Seth’s take

Any time you have bitter rivals squaring off while they are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the nation, you're going to get a must-see game. But make no mistake: This season's first Duke-Carolina showdown is a much, much different contest if Tar Heels point guard Ty Lawson is unable to play. Lawson, who sprained his ankle on Sunday, is questionable for the game. If Lawson is unable to play he may not totally eliminate North Carolina's chances of winning, but it seriously reduces them.

One ACC coach whose team has played both Duke and North Carolina this season put it thusly: "I don't believe Carolina can beat Duke without Lawson. Duke defends you every single possession, and their pressure will cause all kinds of problems for a team that is headless."

To make things worse, North Carolina is also missing its backup point guard. Bobby Frasor, the 6-foot-3 junior from Blue Island, Ill., suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Dec. 27. That leaves the third option, 6-3 senior Quentin Thomas, as the starter. Thomas played a season-high 36 minutes after Lawson went down on Sunday, and while Thomas did have six assists to two turnovers, the Heels needed overtime to beat the 11th-place team in the ACC. "Thomas has shown a penchant for turning the ball over," the unnamed coach says. "Not only does he have to penetrate, he has to deliver. There's just a huge difference between him and Lawson."

So what can Carolina do to win without Lawson? Four things:

1. Run a crisp halfcourt offense. We all know the Heels are deadly on the break, but they need to withstand Duke's halfcourt pressure. That will enable them to get the ball to Tyler Hansbrough inside, where Duke is at a severe disadvantage. "Duke has only one big body in [6-9 freshman] Kyle Singler, and he's not that big," the coach says. "Carolina's got three big bodies, but most important they have the best one in the country in Hansbrough."

2. Pound the glass. Despite Duke's lack of size, the Devils are only sixth in the ACC in rebound margin during league play. North Carolina, however, is first at +11.9. Since the Blue Devils have adopted the warrior's mentality to rebound over bigger teams, the Heels cannot take this advantage for granted. If North Carolina does not win the rebounding battle by at least 10 boards, it will have a hard time winning the game.

3. Take away Duke's three-point shooting. This is easier said than done -- but it's possible if the Heels prioritize. "You need to get up on Duke's shoetops and make them either score inside or by driving because, guess what -- threes are worth more than twos," the ACC coach said. To the extent that it is impossible to prevent Duke from getting open looks, the Heels have to hope the Blue Devils are having an off night.

4. Get some production off the bench. Roy Williams lit a spark under his team in the first half against Boston College last week when he pulled the old Blue Team stunt and ordered a five-man substitution. The tactic worked, but there are only so many times a coach an reach into his bag of tricks. Duke will try to wear down North Carolina with its depth. If the Tar Heels' reserves -- namely Alex Stepheson, Will Graves and Mike Copeland -- don't answer it could be a tough night.

All this aside, I still think the Blue Devils are playing too well for the Tar Heels to handle at this point. I might have been tempted to pick Duke even with Lawson healthy. But with Lawson injured, the Blue Devils should emerge from the Dean Dome with a victory.

Final prediction: Duke 79, North Carolina 74

gthc,gth

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Go To Hell Carolina, Go To Hell

this was easily our basketball highlight from the 2006-2007 season

This clip was the only time I've ever agreed with Billy Packer- with 14 seconds left and you're up by 12 what is your star player still doing on the floor (and even though I outwardly say that he was going for the ball I think G-Love knew what he was doing and I love him even more for it.)
But seriously this was a miserable game to watch last year but as soon as this went down and Tyler got up almost crying it made it all worth it and everyone just got giddy and excited. And for once we didn't care (as much) that we lost to UNC. That picture at the moment of contact is still my desktop photo today.
It's sad but true and it's the life of a rival.


There will be blood tonight. I'm excited. Go Duke!!!

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A Moment of Carolina Hate

pretty big game tomorrow. And in honor of, here's an oldie but goodie from after Roy Williams and Kansas lost the 2002 Championship to Syracuse

A short time later Roy Will was introduced as Carolina's coach and still has yet to win a title with players that he actually recruited.
I could give a shit about North Carolina too, Roy.
gthc,gth

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Things That Made Me Happy

this weekend, and there weren't a lot of things to be happy about but epicaricacy is always fun.
The only thing that would've made Carolina losing at home better was if they hadn't lost to a school I hate but their fans crying more than made up for it

Their tears. so sweet.

Really the only thing as good as a Duke win is a UNC loss


and not going to lie this may seem really simple but people falling down is always funny

I could watch that a hundred times and would probably laugh at it a hundred times.
That doesn't make me a bad person, does it?
Well, if it does I'd like to add that this picture also made me happy

Awwwww

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There Might Be a Slight Difference Here

yesterday when i was, i guess bored and trying to figure out why the bengals are so awful i found myself on the AOL Fanhouse thing and there was an article about Shawne Merriman and the story of two pictures. The first taken in 2005 (left) the second taken this year after he admitted taking steroids accidently
(my question in such a case would be how do you not notice that your neck is twice its normal size? but I think i may be giving a Maryland alum a little too much credit in the fields of intellect and integirty)

But alas, I hate when truth gets in the way of a good story. The picture on the left was actually that of another Chargers' player. Speculation is that "because Merriman held out of minicamp in 2005, the Chargers didn't have him around when they took the official photos, and they just found an old photo of Merriman and pasted it onto Williams' body" (Either way I still strongly dislike the University of Maryland-College Park though not enough to hate; my collegiate athletic hate is reserved for a certain other school.)

Speaking of other doctored photos, and the main reason for this post, was an article from Radar about plastic surgery and what some stars with "very unique" faces would look like if they were to have some work done. While Will Smith didn't change much (still incredibly attractive) and a lot of the other ones did not turn out well (Meryl Streep looks like Faye Dunaway) my absolute favorite and one that I thought would be a wonderful aesthetic improvement (if, of course it wouldn't take away his differentness and he wasn't already an oscar winner) was Adrian Brody.

I think he looks a lot better, but of course what do I know? my tatste are sometimes a little bizarre. and of course beauty is only skin deep, blah blah

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Well, That Sucked.

I mean that really sucked. A lot. I really don't know why I continue to have this hope, especially after 5 years of...Duke Football (that title just sums up so so much it's a perfect adjective.) But Notre Dame was so awful this year and I bought into the hype that we were playing team closely and that we'd actually somehow win it and for all time it would have to be said that Duke beat Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium. In football.
But of course that couldn't happen. We're Duke.
And as we were playing so closely in the first half (horrid, ugly football but still close) I had thoughts about what I'd put in this post- something like "The" Thaddeus Lewis is leading us so deep into Irish Territory we should start calling him Richard de Clare. I was going to bring up the fact that the South Bend Tribune gave Ted Roof the coaching edge over Charlie Weis. And i was going to complain about the damn NBC graphic that was definitely not in Duke Blue but was in some strange Bondi Blue, which was distracting and not at all okay. And how the refs were screwing us over so badly that we were getting Nifong'd.
And I really wanted to be able to use this picture (i like to believ that god does hate notre dame.) as well as a line like "the only thing that can wake up the echoes now is a defibriliator." But no matter how much hope and blind faith I had, I knew near the end of the first half when we were in Notre Dame territory and we fumbled that the game was slipping away. Especially when our left tackle actually had the ball resting at his feet and he didn't even notice.
And especially after the second touchdown when we allowed Casey Clausen's brother to look like an All America candidate that we were done. I had no faith in our ability to score 14 points.
What was worse was I knew that our band wouldn't be doing this Video Game tribute at halftime, like Berkeley did, to at least entertain someone

It really was a dreary game with dreary weather and I really thought Ted "Please Fire Me!" Roof was crying. I know that while I wasn't that emotionally wrecked that my itunes started playing PJ Harvey and Cat Power, things I could have done without hearing. The only thing that made me happy is that Carolina lost as well. And that we play them next week and we will win back the Victory Bell.
And so the only thing I can say (after screaming "fuck" and "damn" a few more times and wondering out loud if this win qualifies Notre Dame for a BSC bowl game) is:
GO TO HELL CAROLINA, GO TO HELL

(thank god for basketball season)

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Touchdown Jesus Died For Somebody's Sins But Not Mine

I think this may be the most fired up I've ever been for a Duke football game. Quite a few of them were quite alcohol induced events but I just kinda got sad because we're horrible. But this game. Against Notre Dame...
Against a Notre Dame team we can beat...
In South Bend...
On National Television...
Straight Epic. I really am treating it as a bowl game for Duke, because I don't think they'll show the UNC game out here. And it's actually a game where I think all of us Dukies think we can win (i take back my earlier prediction- I didn't realize how god awful ND would be at the beginning of the season.)
There's no way we won't be so fired up today- I mean I could hardly sleep myself, last night (which I attributed to my excitement for the game and not any other reason I want to admit to myself.) I'm so excited I may actually live blog the game, or at least until I can't watch anymore.

But Notre Dame? They're already ear deep in a miserable season and they're not going to be exited or fired up for lil' ol' Duke. But even Lou Holtz, try as he might, can't save their souls
Too bad their current coach is a fat arrogant incompetent asshole...who's really fat. From the L.A. Times
"Rumblings have emanated from faculty too, though many professors do not always feel comfortable speaking out. Privately, some say Weis has never been a favorite, not since he arrived at this stately, Catholic campus three years ago, brazen and arrogant, vowing to produce a "nasty" team.
"His self-described New Jersey personality has rubbed some people the wrong way," said Matt Storin, an adjunct professor of journalism. "They keep quiet when the team is 10-3, but when it's 1-9, they come out of the woodwork."
In this regard, Weis suffers by comparison to his predecessor, Ty Willingham. Willingham was a gentler presence, soft-spoken, often seen bicycling and rollerblading; Weis makes bold statements, then retreats to a fortress-like football complex at the edge of campus."

Kinda like Dick Cheney. I can't even imagine what the new and more legitimate Can Charlie is going to say this afternoon after Duke wins.

But even if we somehow don't I can always take comfort in the fact that, as College Gameballs said, in our minds: "Cars, steaks and cruises… Shit with my degree from Duke I’m going to have all that, as well as bragging rights against all the Notre Dame alumni employed under me after we win Saturday."
Well that, along with the fact that the Fightin' Irish is a horribly racist stereotype and that Rudy was the worst and most overrated movie ever.

::slow clap::

Fight, fight Blue Devils,
Fight for the white and blue!
Break on through --
There's a touchdown there for you!
Go Devils!
Duke is going to win tonight --
Carolina go to Hell! (Eat Shit!)
So turn on the steam, team --
Fight, Blue Devils, fight!

Rip 'em up
Tear 'em up
Give 'em hell, DUKE!

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Things I Thought

i kind of wished I had written this out last night when I was more groggy and delusional because now in the light of day they just seem kind of strange.

• "I think I'm racist- all asians look the same to me"
• "I make a very bizarre looking boy."
• "God I hope I never get a Blackberry. I do not want to be one of 'those' people"
• "I still think the coolest name ever is Chase Perfect. It's not only a name, it's a way of life and plus he's actually 'Mr. Perfect,' which is awesome. Too bad he was one of those guys, one of those fratastic arrogant athlete types. But I still do love that name. I understand where the last names like 'Miller' or 'Johnson'(john's son) come from but what did his ancestors have to do to get labeled perfect? I'm intrigued"
  
• "My hatred of Barack is irrational but intense. I'm not voting for him under any circumstance. That includes against Hitler. I mean at least Hitler lead his party before the Reichstag fire and organized germany and wasn't an unpatriotic muslim plant."
• " Y'know what I miss? Overt wars of conquest. I mean back in the day people used to do it all the time but England hasn't been invaded for almost a thousand years. Now everyone just kind of cloaks their motives behind ideology, even Saddam when invading Kuwait said he was 'reclaiming it.' If we were just to say we want war with Iran so we can take it over I'd be more accepting. That way everyone can gang up against us if they want and it'll be fairer. Honesty is very important to me.
• "Tyler Hansbrough looks a lot better with a face mask. Where's G-Love when you need him?"
  
• "Where am I?" numerous times in numerous places
• "Sinbad's still alive?!"
  
• "There sure are a lot of asians around here"- upon passing through Chinatown.
• "I heart duty free shopping. I didn't even know there were Johnnie Walker Green or Gold"
• "Why is the bread so thick on this sandwich? I can't fit my mouth around it."
• " Current TV is awesome. Each documentary lasts like 5 minutes which is perfect for my attention span. Too bad I can only watch it while flying on Virgin."
• "Grandmothers against PETA-awesome. I want a monkey"
• "I want a baby. A little asian baby. I think they're so cute because they remind me of baby pandas when they smile. Soo cute."
• White kids between the age of like 6-11 are all really very creepy and evil.
  
• "A-Rod re-signed with the Yankees? Damn damn, I really wanted him on the Dodgers. Oh well, this way I can still super hate him and this means the Yankees won't win a World Series for ten years"

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Thoughts I Had Today

while reading this week's Rolling Stone in a waiting room.
1: For some reason Rolling Stone still thinks Kid Rock is relevant. I mean the cover is so full of cliches that it must be a parody of Kid Rock. He's surrounded by 4 implanted models in black lingerie, two of whom are staring at him with an unmistakable look of lust while the other two models are gazing at the other girls with that same lustful leer. It's really sad and the fact this is the "hot issue" I know I'm not the target audience but I really thought Rolling Stone tried to appeal to most demographics and not just frat types who view this cover as their fantasy and American Bad ass as their theme song.

Due: Sometimes I really don't think about things but just know them to be wrong. Like the Republican mantra " we fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" it never really made sense to me, but I never thought about it- it was just one of those things that GWeeB always said so I just assumed it was dumb and wrong. But while reading Matt Tabibi's profile on John McCain's campaign and his questioning about why or how is that true "if the terrorists want to fight us here, how are we going to stop them by going to Iraq? Are we tying up air traffic controllers?" I think I understand the rationale- it's not we fight them over there so they can't come here, it's hopefully we kill them all so they can't, but you can't kill everyone of them and more will grow, and even if you kill all the organizers, you can't kill ideas and, in many areas the youth are more radical and gung ho than the elders. Then I thought, and I may be the only person who wold think this, but that since the goal of terrorists is to kill Americans, to humiliate America and basically destroy removing it from the Middle East, that are fighting them over there is almost a concesssion to them. That we will offer up the 150,000 or so American troops and others who will serve as targets, so that all terrorists or jihadist will come to Iraq seeing it as a hunting ground where they can kill and do their part to humiliate Americans, in a way keeping them busy with abundant targets in a more accessible location so they won't feel as strong a need to satisfy their thirst for American blood by coming over to the states, or attacking other targets. Like a trap, we lure them all there (except our closing mechanism is a little broken) And by offering the soldiers as sacrifices and potential sacrifices it is a very morbid and brutal mutual beneficial deal- regular American civilians aren't being bombed weekly at night clubs (see Israel) in exchange for extremists getting a chance to humiliate us on the world stage, leading to a loss of prestige and power and (probably eventually) driving us from the Middle East. (if that made any sense at all.)

C: i'm horrible at being a guy.

and Four:that Jerome Corsi, who was behind the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth, fears John Edwards- though he may not see it that way. When asked to "swift boat" major democratic candidates, he labeled John Edwards as "The Emotional Basketcase"- from his analysis "The obvious thing about Edwards has already been done- the Breck Girl stuff, his vanity. I would go back to his medical malpractice cases and read them all closely; he tends to give emotionally driven presentations as if he is talking to a jury. I would push him to express his feelings. The more he does that the less the American People will trust him"
What? Is he trying to say that John's emotions are phony are that they are too real but Americans don't trust emotions? I am obviously biased and a big believer in emotionality so I don't buy the fact that if he expresses his feelings, and they are genuine that such a thing could hurt him. Sure he has passion but that's what we need- when is passion in pursuit of the right cause a bad thing? I think that Corsi is trying to label John as effeminate, vain and emotional (gay.) Whatever, America loves him and he really is the strongest Democratic candidate- from my Edwards propaganda email: (see video)
Yesterday, in Columbus, Kentucky - a town of 229 people - about 2,000 people turned out to see John speak. That's almost nine times the number of people who live there.
They literally came from miles around for one simple reason - they want change, and they know John is the man to deliver it.
The crowd proved what we've all known all along: John is the only candidate in this race who can compete and win in places like Columbus, Kentucky.
Can you imagine what it would be like to have a Democratic candidate who can compete and win anywhere in the country? A candidate who can connect with people in Columbus and put states like Oklahoma in play?
I can - because I saw it with my own eyes. And I know you can, too - because that candidate is John Edwards. Yesterday, the good people of Columbus, Kentucky proved us right.
Want hard evidence? Look at the facts. Just yesterday, the political website Real Clear Politics ran a story with the headline, "Edwards, Not Hillary, Is Dems' Best Chance." Also yesterday, the polling firm Rasmussen Reports summed up the polling they've been doing since the race started with the headline, "Edwards Strongest Democrat in General Election Match-ups." And the day before, a major poll came out showing John beating all of the Republican candidates in Oklahoma - a state that George Bush carried by double digits in 2004!
I've been in politics a while, and I've never seen anything like what I saw yesterday. Everyone I talked to agreed that this was the biggest crowd Columbus, Kentucky had ever seen.

Damn straight.


and I didn't learn this from Rolling Stone but I'd like to point out that the 2 of the Biggest American Disgraces, and liars of the past year, Mike Nifong and Marion Jones are both Tar Heels. I'm just saying...

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Stuff About Sports I Don't Understand And Other Randomness

I turned over to Dancing With the Stars last night in time to see Floyd Mayweather Jr getting his score and that got me thinking- is that wise? Or is he just incredibly overconfident? I mean he has a fight coming up I think in December against Ricky Hatton who I kind of like (he reminds me of a bulldog) and is definitely legit. Shouldn't Floyd be starting training instead of dancing on reality shows? I mean I'm not sure how long boxers usually train but the montages in Rocky made it seem like he was training at least 3 months in advice. He'll probably win Dancing with the Stars because boxers have amazing footwork but I kind of think when it actually counts..well,... go Ricky.

Wtf is Mike Vick doing to his life and career? Seriously testing positive for smoking pot while you're awaiting sentencing doesn't seem like the smartest thing. I mean no one would have cared if he got blitzed drinking, but the guy obviously is screwed. Michael Vick self destructing faster than the Mission Impossible message.

Seems kind of strange to switch your starting goalie who hasn't given up a goal in almost 4 games at this point in the World Cup. How old is Brianna Scurry, seriously? She was the goalie on the '99 team. Doesn't advanced age affect level of play? Shouldn't you stick with the young athletic one who's gotten your team this far? I mean she is a Jedi (or she has to be. Hope Solo? totally Han Solo's kid. And the coolest name ever)

I don't understand college football scheduling. Michigan, four games into the season is finally going on the road after playing 4 straight home games. All total they'll play 8 games out of a 12 game regular season at home. How does that work out? Shouldn't they just try to have half home and half away games each year so like next year they won't have to be the road team 8 times,which I assume will happen in the interest of balance, right? I mean with such a home schedule and the intimidating home field advantage that is Wallace Wade stadium, Duke would definitely win the ACC. But even without it, according to SI's full college rankings we own Carolina. Duke's the 87th best team, while Carolina is ranked 97th. (I take small victories during football season)

It doesn't really matter though because Duke is going downhill. The new admission policy for games is seeming like a lottery system which defeats the whole purpose and beauty of K-Ville which is the most amazing place at Duke and probably anywhere. Duke as a school doesn't have all the traditions of other more staid schools and K-Ville and tenting and waiting in line for days was one and a tremendous one at that, founded by drunk guys playing quarters. I won't rant anymore about it because only a few of you would understand, it would be too emotional and long (and I don't want to be accused again of not being able to let go of college) but it is a sad day and the Cameron Crazies, who have been for years (my time as well) living off the reputation forged by those who preceded us in the 80s, if they accept this pseudo lottery, that name, that Crazy should be buried. That is all. ::tear:: Dear Ol' Duke.

And finally you remember how I picked the NFL season and the Super Bowl winner a few weeks back? Yeah just keep that in mind whenever I ask you to trust me or I predict something; My teams the Bengals and Saints are like a combined 1-5

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If You Were Keeping Score at Home

Mike Nifong the man, and UNC alum, whose naked ambition was most responsible for this only got a day in jail. Paris Hilton, as you might remember was sentenced to 45 days, served 23 and suffered the hatred of the millions when she was transferred to home arrest after 5 days in jail. And she didn't ruin 4 families lives, the reputation of a city and a University or cost me a 2006 Lacrosse title.
In case you were wondering. About justice or whatever...
It's alright though, his life is fucked and everywhere around the country his name is synonymous with

(he's an asshole)

(just something I remember; before all of that mess broke I remember walking to Brightleaf or the Joyce and passing his campaign signs in the grass and always assumed with a last name like Nifong he was asian. I think that fact still confuses me a little.

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Duke Football: You Heard It Here First

College Football season started last night ( ?!) and watching it and the pregame shot of all the college kids tailgating I realized, seemingly for the first time that I'll never be in college again and in those tailgate situations I'll from now on be a sketchy old fart. It was sort of sad. But of course there are millions of people no longer in college who still enjoy those festivities in those settings so that made me happy. And in honor of that, and the fact the first Duke tailgate of the year (coinciding and competing with the actual game) is tomorrow I thought I should give you my predictions for our season this year. Of course what I'm going to say now may be biased and of course it is, and to be honest I just want us to win a game. But the future is now ( and according to SI there are 19 worse teams then us. #100 with a bullet!) And just to be clear and open I fully expect us to make a bowl game this year ( I don't care if I've thought the same thing for the last three years it's happening now) and, to a lesser degree, once again, I expect "The" Thaddeus Lewis to garner himself a lot of praise and be thought about in the Heisman race for next season. And when it all comes to past just remember who you heard it from first.
Here's the schedule with my predictions in italics

Sat, Sep 1st, 2007 Connecticut (win by 7. god I hate UCONN)
Sat, Sep 8th, 2007 at Virginia (UVA is a lot better than UCONN. We'll be underprepared. I Blame Ted Roof. We lose.)
Sat, Sep 15th, 2007 at Northwestern (win by 10. Northwestern; I'm not impressed)
Sat, Sep 22nd, 2007 at Navy ( their jets are really cool. But we run a guerilla style insurgent type game and we eventually sap their will. Allahu Akbar, that's a win.)
Sat, Sep 29th, 2007 at Miami (win on last second field goal. We should have won last year but we got hosed. This time we shock the world. No probably not. 4 road games in a row is tough, Though don't be surprised if we pull it out.)
Sat, Oct 6th, 2007 Wake Forest ( We should have won last year's game by like 30. We're a year older and we won't have those same mistakes. This is the game that gets Thaddeus national recognition. We win by 14.)
Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 Virginia Tech ( I mean I know I can't root against Va Tech but their team is so dirty and full of cheap shot artist. They are still better then us though. Bastards. We don't win.)
Sat, Oct 27th, 2007 at Florida State (we're this years Wake. They beat FSU last year in Doak Walker, so will we. Winner.)
Sat, Nov 3rd, 2007 Clemson (a classic let down game, though Clemson is no push over. I think Tommy will want revenge for us whupping his Daddy. He gets it. We don't win.)
Sat, Nov 10th, 2007 Georgia Tech ( we beat them a few years back and now they don't have Calvin Johnson. We win and clinch bowl eligibilty.)
Sat, Nov 17th, 2007 at Notre Dame (why did we schedule this game? I feel our team may be overwhelmed by the aura and the environment. We don't win.)
Sat, Nov 24th, 2007 at UNC (win by 4. GTHCGTHC. The Bell belongs with us. And we get into a bowl game. Sweet.)
Final record 7-5 (not including the bowl result.)
There you go people the 2007 Duke Football season in a nutshell.
Get excited people. DUKE FOOTBALL ( wooooooo!!!!!! god I hope we win a game)

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Monday Morning Cuteness- Part Deux

Another installment in the best series ever. Soo adorable I couldn't stop laughing. I want one. This should definitely pick you up on a monday morning...



Oh look they're laughing at Carolina too. Just kidding (I am so petty; whatevs)

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