The Unlikable Truth About Duke Basketball
When it comes to college basketball, there’s one program that stands out as the most despised: Duke. Yet, somehow, some people have the audacity to claim that Duke is likable. This notion is nothing short of absurd.
A History of Disdain
We’ve endured decades of Duke’s dominance, and with it, a laundry list of players who embodied the essence of dislike. From Laettner to Grayson Allen, the Plumlee brothers to Gerald Henderson, the list goes on. These players, along with coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, have cemented Duke’s reputation as the most hated program in college basketball.
The Cooper Flagg Factor
This season, Duke boasts a top-10 team, thanks in large part to the talents of Cooper Flagg. While it’s undeniable that Flagg is an exceptional player, his presence doesn’t suddenly make Duke likable. Being good and being likable are two vastly different things. Just because the ACC is having a down year, and Duke is thriving as a result, doesn’t mean we should suddenly forget the program’s checkered past.
Manipulation and Deception
Let’s not forget the infamous picture of Coach K manipulating referees at Cameron Indoor Stadium, taken just last December. This is the same coach who has built a reputation on bending the rules to his advantage. It’s a tactic that has earned Duke a reputation for being “smart” or “gritty defensively,” but in reality, it’s just plain unsportsmanlike.
Don’t Be Fooled
We can’t let our memories be clouded by a single talented player or a down year in the ACC. Duke’s history of disdain is too long, too storied, to be erased by a fleeting moment of success. We’ve lived through too much to suddenly declare Duke likable. The truth remains: Duke sucks, and it’s time we acknowledge it.
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