Duke–Maryland rivalry

The Duke–Maryland rivalry, also referred to as the Maryland–Duke rivalry, is an intercollegiate sports rivalry between Duke University and the University of Maryland. The basketball series has been called one of the most intense intercollegiate rivalries of modern times. A Harris Interactive poll of Marylanders ranked it the third best in the state behind the Cowboys–Redskins and Ravens–Redskins rivalries.^[1]

Basketball

While Duke University and University of North Carolina are considered to be each other's primary rivals, during the early 2000s the Duke - Maryland games were not only far more competitive than the Duke - Carolina games, but had national implications, including a game in 2001 where Duke and Maryland met in the Final Four. Post early-2000s, the primacy of Carolina and Duke on both the Atlantic Coast Conference and the national levels, combined with a decline in the Maryland basketball program, has decreased the national implications of the Duke-Md series.

That nature of the rivalry between Duke and Maryland is disputed by the Duke fan base. While the Carolina–Duke rivalry is considered originated from geographic proximity and shared history, Duke fans generally maintain that Maryland is not a rival, citing the importance of the Duke-Carolina rivalry and the series' historical record in Duke's favor.^[2] Maryland fans traditionally see the Duke game as the largest game of the year, and have often rioted in College Park after home games, regardless of the outcome.^[3] Michael Wilbon, a sports journalist who writes for the Washington Post and ESPN, refers to the Duke-Md rivalry as, "One of the best rivalries in one of the best basketball leagues in the country."^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

References