In my opinion, the March Madness Tourney was ‘rigged’ in Duke's favor for waaaay too long.
For a LONG TIME Duke had the benefit of practically playing ‘home games’ during the early rounds of the NCAA Tourney.
Go back and check the history & locations of ‘where’ Duke played during the Tourney.
Every year, the NCAA always sent EVERY school to the other side of the map to play their first 2 rounds.
Big East schools would have to travel to the West Coast, or Pac-10 schools would travel to the East Coast and play games in ‘hostile’ territory.
Year after year after year.
Except. For. Duke.
Duke was THE ONLY school that was
consistently allowed to play close to home.
Moreso than ANY other school.
During the entire 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s… seemed like they ALWAYS played their first 2-3 rounds of the Tourney right in their backyard.
Their opponents would always take a 4-hour plane ride… meanwhile Duke just took a 30-minute drive.
In the NCAA Tourney, ‘WHERE’ you play…. makes a difference.
- A Duke team playing in/or near North Carolina is going to get too many bullshit ‘calls’ made in their favor.
- A Duke team playing far away from North Carolina is NOT going to get ANY bullshit ‘calls’ made in their favor.
‘Where’ Duke play determines ‘how much’ help they get from the refs.
So I can’t respect Coach K’s accomplishments when Duke was allowed to play SO MANY games right in (or very close by) North Carolina during the NCAA Tourney, while EVERY OTHER school was sent waaaaaaay across the map.
Year after year after year.
