Rivalry Week

Man I love a good rivalry!

I was sitting in the comfort of my living room last night when Duke freshman Austin Rivers reminded me just WHY I love a good rivalry.

It was a game where North Carolina was seemingly in control from mid first half on, however; games can change in a heartbeat. Duke was able to withstand this deficit and make a huge run with only 2 minutes and change remaining making it a two point game with just seconds left. N.C's Tyler Zeller was at the free throw line trying to make it a three point lead but he missed the shot and Duke was instantly in freestyle mode with no T.O's. As the precious seconds were ticking away and Duke was down 84-82 it was bringing back memories of mine as a kid of this same situation. I was having visions of Nick Anderson popping a three against "That Classic Bully" Bob Knight and his Indiana Hoosiers in 1989. I was recalling Andy Kaufman nailing a three against Iowa in 1990 that has been permanently tattooed on my brain. This young man was oblivious to the moment and magnitude of what will come in the future of this one shot as he was about to release. It was the difference of either winning and Duke immortality or taking that 8 mile bus trip back home with North Carolina fans having bragging rights once again. It was apparent this young freshman was not going to look for overtime. As the camera scanned the situation I was watching the sea of powder blue throughout the stands as some were cheering and others were just stoic in their gaze. The crowd noise was at a deafening level. History was on the verge of being made as these kids were trying to settle past, present, and future scores. So with North Carolina holding a slim two point lead 84-82 in the waning seconds Austin Rivers let loose the basketball with 1.1 seconds left and watching it float like a cloud. It seemed to hang their for awhile until it fell safely through the net stunning a packed Dean Dome. Duke 85, North Carolina 84. The shot was yet another reminder why rivalries are so much better than a regular game against another opponent. When the ball splashed through the net two things happened. One was the hearts of Carolina Fans everywhere sank into a deep depression and disbelief. The second was the pure emotion that exploded out of the Duke bench from the student athletes to the coaches who were acting like kids again. Only a true rivalry does this reaction occur. Sure Duke could have beaten another team on a last second trifecta but this was different. It was an outcome that will be talked about on Tobacco Road for decades. Their campuses are only 8 miles apart. People use the same stores and you see the same people wearing Duke Blue or Carolina Blue. It just transcends the sport as it is a way of life. Families are brought up either one team or the other or worse families are split with their allegiance. It doesn't just end with these two teams as rivalries have added that little extra over the years in all sports. I can still remember when the Bears beat the Packers 6 days after Walter Payton passed away and they miraculously blocked a chip shot field goal. It would have made all Chicago Bears fans happy had they blocked any other teams attempt but it was especially gratifying that it was against the Packers. This was personal. Years of blood, sweat, and tears. Only a true rivalry brings this out.

Rivalry.

Just saying that word conjures up excitement and the wantonness to create another lasting memory.

And I totally have enough room for another tattoo on my brain.