UNC-Duke rivalry is the most heated out there

TO THE EDITOR:

In Tuesday’s edition of The Daily Tar Heel, the UNC-Duke rivalry was completely dismissed in the article “Rivalry between UNC, Duke not that heated,” (Feb. 9) Not that heated? Not so fast.

Survival of Carolina’s basketball dynasty is contingent on pressure that mounts just eight miles away. Duke serves as motivation; in-state rivalry betters both teams to excel in hopes of an NCAA victory.

Rivalry is not synonymous with hate. Students may not use “hate” in reference to their rival, but that doesn’t make the “Battle for Tobacco Road” any less intense.

It’s possible to passionately “hate on Duke” while somewhat respecting Duke basketball. After all, if Coach K didn’t have a successful history, who would be our ACC rival? As a former N.C. State University cheerleader, I can say that it wouldn’t be the Wolfpack. The UNC-Duke rivalry is second to none.

The DTH’s featured poll revealed 44 percent of people “don’t care” which team wins; however, we must look at facts, not an inaccurate pie chart. Duke has roughly 6,500 undergraduate students; Carolina is barely shy of 18,000. The poll was a reflection of 678 North Carolina voters. I repeat: 678. What kind of number is that? There are over 678 self-proclaimed Cameron Crazies. I’m from Durham; I’ve seen them. And call me crazy, but at least 678 wannabe ballers would engrave “Tar Heel Dead” on their tombstone.

While we strongly dislike each other, labeling that feeling “hatred” marks immaturity. The rivalry is alive; alive and hot, locally and among alumni of both schools who, despite leaving that eight-mile stretch, carry the heat to all parts of the globe.

Lauren Hollis McKinney
Junior
Photojournalism, Psychology