DURHAM — The tussle for tickets is a time-honored tradition at Duke, particularly when the opponent is Carolina. There are 6,500 undergraduates and only 4,000 student tickets available in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Getting those prized seats is a tough process, with its own rules and regulations.

Monday, there were about 100 tents in Krzyzewskiville. Each tent houses 15 students who take shifts to make sure someone is always in line. Students can easily lose their spaces if they're not around for check-in time.

Duke student Chi Tang says only the hard-core tenters get into the game, while those who aren't so dedicated will miss out.

Occasionally a new tent goes up after someone else gets bumped. The recent rains have added a whole new dimension to the idea of "roughing it." The tent dwellers just take the mud in stride.

Many have camped out since January, some in more luxurious accommodations than others, and most students say the lifestyle hasn't disrupted their classes.

Duke recently reviewed its camp-out policy, but decided to let the tradition stand. With about two weeks left until the big game, students are beginning to see the blue light at the end of the tunnel.