There is not much to say, when your alma mater plays your childhood team.Monday night, November 21st, my Tennessee Volunteers played against my Duke Blue Devils for the first time in my life, which includes my time here at the University of Tennessee. Growing up on Tobacco Road, I became the fourth biggest Blue Devil (according to dukeblueplanet.com) there is. Having that been said, it’s no secret in Knoxville that I bleed blue & white. So what question have I been asked for the past 3 years?
“If Duke plays Tennessee, who are you rooting for?”
Luckily the two have nothing to do with each other, and I’ve been able to duck this question since 2008. However……thanks to the Maui Invitational, I was screwed.
Duke, as the highest ranked team in the field, drew first to play Tennessee in the opening round. My phone and my Facebook alike were blown up with as much chatter as I expected; not to mention people coming up to me, not wishing me well. To make matters more interesting, I am currently an intern with the Tennessee Volunteers, which conflicts with my blood oath in The Battle for Tobacco Road. My commitment to my school, is also a commitment to my employer; my allegiance to Krzyzewski, Wojciechowski, The Cameron Crazies, and Duke Blue Planet made this game nothing short of ecstasy. For anyone who has ever had to choose between the two greatest loves in their lives, this article is for you.As much as I hate to mince words, I am bound by both allegiances to publicly keep my mouth shut about the game in Maui. I am otherwise, if nothing else, a man of my word. My commitments to my family, brothers of Alpha Kappa Psi, etc. are unwavering. When I say I’ll do something, it is done. There hasn’t been a moment when I have failed to be true to my school, since choosing to choosing UT over Florida, Pitt, and VA Tech. Monday Night, I felt the agony parents feel when their children face off on the field and court. The same agony experienced by Jeff Capel, watching his brother Jason play for UNC against his own Blue Devils.
On a positive note, it was a damn good game by the Volunteers and the Blue Devils. It's a great Duke win, against a Tennessee team that seems as if they can hang with the best. The Vols will have many more chances to prove themselves as they feature a loaded schedule consisting of Pittsburgh, UConn, and Florida and Kentucky twice. You have to like the new found scrappy play of Tennessee- especially in light of losing Tobias Harris, Melvin Goins, and Scotty Hopson’s horrific ego. Furthermore, Kyrie Irving unfortunately declared for the Unemployed Basketball Association, and now averages 0, 0, and 0 for no one when he could be taking the Blue Devils to the Promised Land. Having that much been said, both of these great teams are starting from square one, and the nuances are of course still coming together. Sloppy chemistry, green mistakes, and miscommunication are unavoidable. Knoxville and Durham are equally hungry for progress. Krzyzewski didn’t win 903 by being a poor coach; the Dukies will be watching closely to see how he adjusts with this young, yet extremely talented roster. On the other hand, Martin is a newcomer with an unknown roster; Volunteers are eager to see how the program will turn out in the post-Pearl era. There is much to be written for the Durham Thunder, as well as on Rocky Top. Let’s go team.
