The ACC/Big Ten challenge is currently underway this week. As is true anytime the ACC is involved, the college basketball world is heavily tuned in. As a Duke fan, I can’t complain that we drew a matchup against a growing basketball team in Indiana; it should lead to a relatively easy win especially since the game is at Cameron Indoor, but you can never count out Archie Miller’s ball club. I should mention that I am writing this before the game takes place on Tuesday at 9:30 pm so hopefully my feelings hold true. Despite the favorable matchup, I am left wanting more as a fan and I have felt this way since Maryland joined the Big Ten at the start of the 2014-2015 academic year.
You may not remember, but Duke and Maryland was one of the most intense rivalries in the nation when the teams squared off. Generally speaking, this rivalry was a bigger deal to the fan base of the Maryland basketball team, so the rivalry did not have the overall lure as Duke vs North Carolina did and still does. What also did not help the rivalry is that historically Duke owns Maryland, leading the all time series 110-63. Part of what makes college athletics great is that no matter who is playing, the fans attending the game are going to be wild, especially at Cameron Indoor, but how great would it be if a crowd could give the game a March type atmosphere in November? That will not happen tonight against Indiana, but it would be different if it was Maryland coming into town.
Growing up, I always looked forward to Duke vs Maryland games. They had no shortage of action, no shortage of emotion, and no shortage of intensity; what more could you want as a fan? The one game that immediately pops into my mind is March 3, 2010. Maryland entered that game on a five game winning streak and underdogs against Duke although the game was in Maryland. Maryland came out the gates strong and led for most of the first half, but Duke was able to trim the lead to two right before halftime. In the second half, the teams seemingly traded buckets on every possession and then it happened. Greivis Vasquez, one of my least favorite college basketball players ever, exploded through the lane and hit an off balance leaner over Jon Scheyer. I remember when I saw the shot go in, I immediately fell to the floor in disbelief; the shot was not the game-winner but it might as well be. When the game ended, I was exhausted, and I remember thinking that is how all games should leave you feeling after watching. As devastating a moment that was, Duke did go on to win the national title that year and all was right in the Castellano household once again.
The game on March 3, 2010 was one of the most intense games I’ve ever watched in any sport and it is a feeling that could be brought back every November if the Big Ten and ACC would just schedule Maryland and Duke to play each other. Time will tell if Duke and Maryland will be able to square off in a November matchup once again, but for now I will continue to wait.
