Duke fans undeterred by Carolina presence

Greensboro, N.C. — University of North Carolina fans returned to the Greensboro Coliseum Thursday night to root against rival Duke University.

UNC defeated Radford Thursday afternoon.

Duke took the court just after 9 p.m. to the sound of booing and screaming. Duke is facing Binghamton in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

“There’s always a chance they might lose, so that’s always a positive,” UNC Joe Pagano said.

Despite some vocal Carolina fans, Duke fans also packed the coliseum to cheer for their team.

“We’ll cheer for our team and they can stay quiet while we beat the other team,” Duke fan Chris Farrell said.

Longtime Duke fan Jason Smith has lived in Binghamton, N.Y. all of his life. He represented both teams by wearing each team’s color on his face.

Binghamton shirts were becoming popular at the coliseum as game-time approached.

“There are no Binghamton t-shirts left because North Carolina fans have bought them all. Seriously, they’re sold out,” Binghamton fan Gerry Epstein said, pointing to an empty spot on the sales rack.

“A Duke loss is almost better than a Carolina win,” Carolina fan Randy Borkenstein said.

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This is no joke. You can buy UNC Final 4 2009 t-shirts at D**ks Sporting Goods for $14.99. someone is very optimistic and will be eating that investment. I got red-flagged for using D**k's in a previous post. Censorship -- gotta love it!!!! :) :) GO DUKE!!!

Here kitty kitty
March 20, 2009 10:18 a.m.

" “A Duke loss is almost better than a Carolina win,” Carolina fan Randy Borkenstein said. "

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA This is true!!!!

chasityhamm
March 20, 2009 9:50 a.m.

I pull for "The University of Whoever's Playing Carolina" all year long. But when it comes to a tournament I root for Carolina - UNLESS THEY ARE PLAYING DUKE!

Yep, I'm the same way. In the NCAA tourney, I want all ACC Schools to do well. Even UNC.

Tizu
March 20, 2009 9:50 a.m.

Yeah like the Duke fans would have pulled for Carolina!!!! Whatever??

uncfan89
March 20, 2009 9:35 a.m.

There is nothing wrong with cheering for your team or against your rival. That's what make the rivalry so strong. One thing that makes the rivalry so good is the fact that both teams are among the best in the nation. I pull for "The University of Whoever's Playing Carolina" all year long. But when it comes to a tournament I root for Carolina - UNLESS THEY ARE PLAYING DUKE! If Duke and Carolina don't lose, they will play each other in the semifinals on April 4. I would much rather see that than Carolina lose to some other team.

I even rooted for Carolina to beat Florida State in the ACC tournament so we could play each other in the championship game.

And Vinbooks69, you would be hard pressed to find just one team in any sport, college or pro, that doesn't try to distract the visiting team during the game. That's what us "poor sportsmans" call a homecourt advantage. In this case though, UNC fans are going to a game they aren't even playing in to root against Duke.