Did it ever occur to you that the people that say they "Hate Duke" are talking as fans and not as officials? I doubt anyone here is really going to be in much of a position to work an ACC game, let alone a Duke game. And if you are honestly taking any comments that seriously, then you either do not understand the real purpose of this site or you are taking things way out of context. Who cares who does or does not like a particular team. They lost, they will probably be back, but this is not the place that thing is usually discussed here.

Peace

Actually it means no such thing.

To prove it, may I submit exhibits A, B, and C.

A. Notre Dame football.
B. Dallas Cowboys.
C. Nebraska football

Does anyone really hate Nebraska or Notre Dame anymore? You kinda start feeling sorry for them or not caring at all.

"Dude.

This is a referee forum.

Go away".


Yeah, I guess I am 'confused'.

Does Nebraska still play football? :confused:

Listen to your parents.....
 

My dad taught me to try to avoid using the word "hate" as it's a bit too strong. He said use, dislike instead. That being said....

I watch Duke a lot because I like college basketball and live in the east....and that's what's on the tube - a lot (Big East too). I choose to watch.

I compare Duke to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees - you either like em or not! Most folks have a side. You're either for em or against em.

Look, I live in our Nations Capital. Few go to see the Wizards or Nats anymore (Caps are a different story - everyone follows a winner ya know). My point being when the Yanks or the Cowgirls come to town (any town) - many either go to cheer for their team or cheer against the other disliked team. As was stated before (Nebraska and ND) if the Devil Rays or Angels come to town you either cheer for your team....or don't go.

Does this come from years of success, overexposure, personailty issues, etc.? Probably a bit of all of it. I choose to live with it.

As for a Duke game? Seeing that I'm ending my third year of officiating, and doing some smaller V, but mostly JV/F, if an ACC game pops on my calendar - even if it's Duke, color me there. I mean, I don't live in SoCal ya know! :p

My $.02

Keep dreaming. They barely make the top 5 by most accounts. UCLA, UNC, and UK clearly have them beat by almost any standard. Then you have UI, KU, and a couple others that compete with Duke for the next few spots.

Or a program that you didn't even mention.
 

A sports radio show last night was making an effective case that Michigan State has been THE BEST program over the past decade.

Five Final Fours in the last eleven years. I haven't checked, but that seems to be more than Duke over that time period.

Let's be fair and give credit where it is due.

You should contact this guy:
InGameNow Why Duke Won?t Make a Final Four the Next Five Years

:p

Duke: 3 FF's/1 NC

Florida: 3 FF's/2 NC's

UNC: 4 FF's/1 NC

UConn: 3 FF's/2 NC's

MSU: 5 FF's/1 NC

UCLA: 3 FF's

Kansas: 3 FF's/1 NC

MD: 2 FF's/1 NC

That may all be true, but "gold standard" is not something that comes around lately. You simply have to look at all history. And, Michigan State would certainly be in the discussion for the next tier, but NOT the best program.

Nah, changing the subject from whether or not Duke is great or not to something substantive would be hijacking this thread, and that's frowned upon.

I heard Greenberg this morning mention that Izzo has never had a player stay four years and not go to a Final Four. That's impressive over a 14 (I think) year tenure and running.

I agree that you can't use a decade to indicate how storied a program is; but I would also suggest two decades isn't enough to define a gold standard. The Gold Standard in college basketball is UCLA.

That's it, that's the list.

And growing up in the 60s & 70s, you either rooted for UCLA or against them. Everyone from that time remembers Austin Carr, NC State & David Thompson. The streak breakers.

I also remember the Duke fans tossing records after it was reported that NC State star Chris Washburn allegedly lifted a stereo. Sort of a mini disco demolition day. The fan behavior even back then was either pushing the envelope or over the edge, take your pick. A Duke/UCLA final is like a Yankees/Dodgers WS....Who do you root for?

I thought the gold standard was abolished back in the '70s. You know, like UCLA basketball. :D