Who holds the Duke basketball record as the most despised by opposing fans?
The incessant hate directed at Duke basketball greats is a sign of respect; in other words, people hate them, in part, because they are winners. However, as the haters themselves would surely be quick to point out, their hate is more so just a sign of exactly that: hate.
Hate for the way Blue Devils look, particularly when arguing about a call with officials. Hate for the way they talk, especially when explaining away a rare defeat or some so-called cowardly act. Hate for the way they and their fans act, in general, as if they are somehow superior to all their counterparts elsewhere. Finally, hate for them choosing to be Blue Devils in the first place.
But which Blue Devil has been on the receiving end of the most such hate? Well, in order to find out the absolute answer, we’d have to poll every fan — dead or alive — of North Carolina and Kentucky, plus pretty much any other follower of college hoops who isn’t a Duke basketball supporter.
There is no need for all that, though. Besides, anti-Dukies have made abundantly clear their primary targets of contempt over the years.
Yet before we get to the top 10 in terms of hate received, it is only fitting — due to the widespread disdain for all things Blue Devils — to first name five honorable mentions (with the understanding we can’t mention them all). Let’s get to it…