For too long the Terps could not beat the Blue Devils. Then in 2001 we finally started to get even. Lately, the Terps have a 50/50 chance to take a game from the Devils. Sure, not our rivals. Come Wednesday night we will see if there is another miracle in TerpLand.
For me it started with Dukies Kenny Dennard, Gene Banks and Mike Giminski vs Terps Buck Williams, Ernie Graham and Albert King. That was the late 1970’s. Then it was Dukies Johnny Dawkins and Mark Alarie in the early 80’s to go against Adrian Branch, Len Bias and Keith Gatlin. Maryland sorta went out of the rivalry business in the post-Lefty years. It took Gary Williams to make it juicy again.
Joe Smith got a Terp victory in Durham with Billy Hahn’s one and only victory as the Terp coach. Gary was out w pneumonia. From Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, Trajan Langdon to WoJo, Duke had college star power.
Other than Carlos Boozer, all the Duke stars fizzled for one reason or another at the college level. Injuries, some self-inflicted, slowed some. Not being able to play without the extra help of the referee was the issue for most. Shane Battier and Luol Deng turned out ok. Rooting against JJ Reddick was a blast. He could shoot, just couldn’t play. Of course, the Rat Weasel is the most reviled.
Wednesday, with the season on the line, the rivalry comes back to TerpLand. The Duke game is always the loudest, raunchiest and best home game of the year. Can’t wait.
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