Cheat To Win

Cover photo for next year.

Duke has the second best NCAA tournament winning percentage (.750), trailing only Florida Gulf Coast University.

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.

Obviously this photo will involve my future children at some point.

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.

This really inspires me to work on a new playlist.

And, to be perfectly honest, this would make a great album cover.

They certainly are.  Happy birthday, Coach.

Taken from Duke Men’s Basketball’s Facebook page:

Duke returned to the top spot in the AP poll on Monday. The Blue Devils have been ranked No. 1 overall five times this season and in 72 weeks since the 1997-98 season. In that span, Duke has been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll eight more weeks than the next two teams (North Carolina – 37, Connecticut – 27) combined. #dukefacts

Two of my favorite things in the world merged and I wasn’t there to witness it.

Sad Jake.

So jealous that Alex got to go to Countdown 2 Craziness tonight.

I’m ready for the new season.

Get it done, Blue Devils.

Sexiest bastard in basketball.

Typical shenanigans in my apartment.