Duke v. Carolina, Shaq to Phoenix, and Kris Benson

Tonight, we get to see another chapter written in the beautiful, fierce rivalry that is Duke v. Carolina basketball. This rivalry has featured countless unbelievable moments and brings out the absolute best in each other. In years like this one in which both teams reside near the top in college basketball's pecking order, it is even better than when one program or the other is struggling (Duke in 1995, Carolina in the Matt Doherty era).

From a Feb 2006 post I wrote "20 years ago next month, I was a Freshman at Duke. We were on our way to our first Final 4 under Coach k, a 37-3 record, and a #1 overall ranking at the end of the regular season. But none of that mattered on the first Sunday in March. All that mattered to all of us on that day was avenging at that point one of our only two losses of the season, in Chapel Hill. Duke was ranked #1 in the country, UNC was #3. Spring Break had started two days earlier, but nobody was leaving campus until after the game. We all camped out, ordered pizza, drank beer, and waited, and waited, and waited. At the game we chanted "we're #1, you're #3", "We're Smart, You're Dumb" and other beauties. It was all worth it. Duke went on to beat Carolina. The fact that I still remember the score, 82-74, or running on the court with all the other students after the game, just shows how important this stuff is if you are part of the rivalry (cause I don't remember much from 20 minutes ago, much less 20 years!!!!)

The Duke fans and the Carolina fans get this. Most of us (myself possibly excluded) are normal, productive members of society the vast majority of the time. But when their team, whether it is the Devils or the Tar Hells, lace it up against the other, they morph into a slightly psychotic nutcase that resembles a rabid dog. We desperately want to beat the other one every time. We respect the other's programs, but we do not like each other. It should be noted that Duke men do like Carolina women, as they tend, on average to be more attractive than our own kind."

Tonight Duke travels to Chapel Hill for Dick Vitale's return behind the microphone (can we all admit that we missed him and that he is good for the game...I had to substitute him for Dick in that sentence at the last moment) and will try to win their 8th straight in ACC play without a loss. The Tar Heels, who lost to Maryland in Chapel Hill earlier in the year, will try to tie the Devils atop the ACC standings. I for one hope that Ty Lawson is able to play and play well. I want to beat Carolina at their best so that none of the Duke haters can use the sprained ankle as an excuse for UNC's inability to handle Duke's pressure (from Duke's standpoint, Brian Zoubek will be missed, as he has the size to give 10-12 minutes of quality time against UNC's big frontline).

It will be interesting to see how the UNC fans blast Gerald Henderson, who broke Tyler Hansbrough's nose last time he was in the Dean Dome, and how G reacts and what kind of game he has. Henderson has really stepped his game up as far as both quality and consistency in the past 4-6 weeks so if he can keep building on that in a hostile environment it will be a big plus.

Tonight is Round 1 in what is likely a best of 3 to see who gets the coveted Raleigh/Charlotte road to the Final 4. The game probably means more to the Tar Heels since they are at home, have not played all that well lately, and would fall two games behind Duke in the ACC with a loss.

Whether Lawson plays or not, this will be an all out war, and these two teams will play at an amazingly high level (emotionally if not from an execution standpoint). When it is over, it will likely be something like the Democratic Presidential battle after Super Tuesday yesterday. There may be a slight frontrunner, but there will be more battles to fight this year before there is a victor declared in the war.

Let's Go Devils! Go to Hell, Carolina.

The NBA continues to amaze me for all the wrong reasons. The Miami Heat are going to trade Shaq to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I know that Banks was likely thrown in the deal to even out salaries and make the trade feasible according to NBA rules, but how in the world could Phoenix trade Marion for Shaq at all? Shaq will be 36 next month, and he plays like he is about 46. How can he be expected to get up and down the court at the pace at which the Suns and Mike D'Antoni like to play? So Shaq by himself is a bad fit (not to mention the 2 more years after this one at $20 million per that he is owed). But to give up Marion, disgruntled at his role or not, is crazy. Marion is in his prime at 29, he is averaging 16 pts and 10 boards a game to go along with 2 steals and 1.5 blocks, and an ability to pass, run the floor, and basically fit what the Suns do. I just cannot understand how management in Phoenix can pull the trigger on this trade. (From the Heat perspective, this is a great trade, giving Dwyane Wade a legit #2 and build the foundation for what could be an exciting nucleus in the future). This will not end well for the Suns...

Pat Gillick is at it again. I guess feeling the pressure to match the Mets signing Johan Santana, Gillick is making a similar quality move by reportedly signing Kris Benson. In fairness to Benson, he did have an ERA below 4.00 once (back in 2000). Despite being the #1 overall pick in the draft out of Clemson, he has never won more than 12 games in the big leagues. And to make matters worse, he missed the entire 2007 season. Pat Gillick is just old and senile. I cannot believe he is still stealing money from the Phils. Pretty soon I will begin to believe that Ed Wade was a better GM (at least he drafted all the good players they have now..Utley, Hamels, Myers, Howard, J-Roll). The only good thing about bringing Benson to Philadelphia is that his wife will likely be coming with him. For those of you unfamiliar with the outspoken and beautiful Mrs. Benson....