Cheat To Win

In case you were wondering, I won $400 in my department’s bracket last night.

Why all the hate? Sure, objectively, Duke appears to represent the best of college sports: graduating most of its players, while running a system built around individual freedom and creativity on offense anchored by hard-nosed, relentless teamwork on defense. But in popular mythology, Duke has become an avatar of an overly white, overrated, and overly praised team with an air of entitled superiority.

This national consensus is fascinating, in that it seems utterly blind to what the rest of the planet knows deeply and profoundly: In world politics, we’re Duke. Americans like to think they are Butler, the scrappy unheralded Midwestern underdogs one shot away from a miracle. But let’s be real. The United States is a global superpower, since 1990 the unipolar hegemon atop the global order. In the Middle East it is the imperial hub, a status quo power with deep security and military alliances with almost every regime and global sanctions against the few remaining “rogues.” When the world looks at the United States, it doesn’t see Butler. It sees Duke.

I’m just gonna go ahead and cite this article every time someone gives me shit for loving Duke.

I don’t think anyone will ever understand the magnitude of love and respect I have for this man - especially given his latest reflections on his career at Duke.

Boom.

Sexiest bastard in basketball.

Perfect Facebook cover photo come basketball season?

Perhaps.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a fifth title.

Notre Dame will join the Atlantic Coast Conference as a full member with the exception of football, but will play five football games annually against ACC teams, industry sources told ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.

Fighting Irish basketball coach Mike Brey confirmed the move with a text to ESPN.com’s Andy Katz, saying: “We’re going” to the ACC.

The ACC does not offer hockey, so it is presumed that Notre Dame will go through with its planned move to Hockey East in that sport.

The Irish will join the ACC as soon as it can exit the Big East. The Big East currently requires members to provide 27 months notice to exit although West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse were able to leave earlier by paying a higher exit fee.

So pumped over this news.  Cannot wait for more Duke/ND games down the road…

This makes me feel better.