Loathing...The Duke vs. UNC rivalry is the sports equivalent of Loathing from Wicked—a relationship built on deep-seated animosity, unwavering contempt, and just a hint of begrudging respect. Much like Elphaba and Glinda’s cutting yet strangely harmonious duet, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils are forever intertwined, each defining the other through decades of battles on the hardwood. Every season, the Cameron Crazies' sneers and the Dean Dome’s roars echo the song’s theatrical vitriol—"Every little trait, however small, makes my very flesh begin to crawl!"—a sentiment any UNC fan can relate to when spotting Duke’s blue and white on the court. My guest today is Andy Bagwell. Andy Bagwell, co-author of Duke Sucks: A Completely Even-Handed, Unbiased Investigation into the Most Evil Team on Planet Earth, captured this dynamic perfectly, dissecting Duke’s infamous flopping, smug superiority, and, of course, their uncanny ability to get every foul call.
But in true Other People’s Shoes fashion, what happens if we step back and examine this rivalry from another angle? The loathing, after all, is what makes it great—what fuels the passion, the unforgettable moments, the pure ecstasy of victory and the gut-wrenching agony of defeat. Without Duke, there is no UNC dominance; without UNC, there is no Duke villainy. Just as Elphaba and Glinda’s friction drives Wicked’s story forward, this rivalry elevates college basketball itself. It’s a hatred that, deep down, every fan secretly loves. Because in the end, while loathing may be the foundation, the rivalry itself is pure magic. Join me as I step into Andy's shoes.
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To find out more about what Andy talked about, click here.
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Remember, when you walk in Other People's Shoes, you get a different perspective!
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