When it comes to the best rivalry in history you always hear about Duke University vs University of North Carolina (UNC). Jan. 24,1920 was the day it all began, at Trinity college, when UNC defeated Duke 36-25. UNC leads the all-time series with 145 wins and Duke trails with 117 wins. With this action-packed rivalry people have found ways to express their team through tailgates, signs and student sections.
What is the best part of this rivalry? Students. Duke is known to have some of the craziest and best fans in basketball history. Krzyzewskiville or K-ville is where students tailgate before the Men’s Basketball games outside of Duke. The Cameron Crazies (student fandome) is filled with rallies, Duke students tailgate beside Cameron Indoor Stadium. From signs to costumes Duke fans have it all and will support the team until they die.
“When I went to the Duke vs. UNC game I wasn’t prepared for the madness from the Duke fans. It was unbelievable,” basketball player Brody Billiter ’27 said.
UNC fans are also enthusiastic about their basketball team. The Tar Heel (student fandom) are just as good as Duke fans, as they also dress up in costumes and make signs. Through many sources, Duke is rated #1 for best student section throughout college basketball history.
The National Championship is the best achievement for any college team. Duke has won five National Championships, and 17 Final Four spots. UNC has accomplished six National Championships, along with 21 final four appearances. Although these two teams have never battled each other in the championship, they played each other in the 2022 Final Four in New Orleans. It was their first ever NCAA tournament matchup in history.
“If Duke and UNC ever played in the National Championship, it would be called the greatest game to ever be played in college basketball history,” former assistant boys basketball coach Kelly Holly said.
Duke and UNC have been rivals for 105 years. The main reason why these teams are rivals are because they are only 10 miles apart from each other. However, this is not the only team in this matchup. Also known as “The Triangle,” these teams make a triangle on the map from college to college. These three North Carolina teams always contend with each other to be the best basketball school in North Carolina.
Through many stars like Jared Mccain and Zion William at Duke, and the three-time All-American Mike O’Koren from UNC. These phenomenal Men’s Basketball players have driven this rivalry between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils to be one of the greatest competitions of all time.
“Duke and UNC have to be the biggest rivalry in all sports across the nation,” girls basketball player Gabby Terry ‘28 said. This matchup will be a rivalry for many years to come and there is no doubt this will become even better in future years.
