Duke is the team that NC basketball fans want to lose the most. A poll reveals March Madness

When it comes to college basketball, there’s no rivalry more storied, intense, and long-lasting than the one between the University of North Carolina (UNC) and Duke University. This rivalry, which has spanned decades, has not only shaped the landscape of NCAA basketball but has also molded the identity of college basketball fans across the country, particularly in North Carolina. Among UNC fans, there’s one team they consistently want to lose the most: Duke. A recent poll, conducted around the time of the 2025 March Madness tournament, highlights this passion and demonstrates why, even after decades of competition, the rivalry remains as fierce as ever.

The Roots of the Rivalry

To understand why Duke is the team that North Carolina fans want to lose the most, we must first explore the origins of the rivalry. The UNC-Duke basketball rivalry is one of the most intense in all of sports, born from a unique combination of proximity, excellence, and contrasting styles.

The schools are located just eight miles apart in the heart of North Carolina, with a simple drive down Interstate 85 linking Chapel Hill and Durham. This geographical closeness means that the two schools have always been familiar rivals. Their basketball programs, however, are what have elevated this rivalry to iconic status. Both UNC and Duke have had tremendous success over the years, regularly competing for national championships, conference titles, and top recruits. The bluebloods of college basketball, these programs have created a fan culture that is rich with history and expectation.

But what makes the rivalry particularly bitter is the difference in coaching philosophy, style of play, and the personalities involved. UNC, historically led by the legendary Dean Smith and later Roy Williams, is known for its fast-paced, transition-heavy style, built around team-oriented play and a blue-collar work ethic. On the other hand, Duke, under Coach Mike Krzyzewski for over four decades, became synonymous with a more structured, disciplined, and often elitist approach. These contrasting philosophies made each game feel like a clash of cultures, which only added fuel to the fire.

The Iconic Coaches and Their Impact

Duke’s head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, has become a central figure in this rivalry. His tenure at Duke, marked by five national championships and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, has positioned him as a polarizing figure. For many UNC fans, Krzyzewski’s success and his often-controversial antics on the sidelines only add to the animosity.

The contrast with UNC’s legendary coaches, particularly Dean Smith and Roy Williams, was always stark. Smith was known for his calm demeanor and focus on team play, while Krzyzewski’s intense competitive nature often led to high-stakes confrontations on the court. The personalities of these coaches became symbols of their respective schools. Smith’s relaxed, humble style stood in direct opposition to Krzyzewski’s fiery intensity and highly competitive edge, making the rivalry even more emotionally charged.

This was not just a battle of teams, but a battle of philosophies, values, and legacies. For UNC fans, seeing Duke win meant watching a school embodying everything they didn’t like about the sport—recruiting one-and-done players, focusing on individual stardom, and thriving in an atmosphere that was often viewed as elitist or arrogant. Conversely, the success of UNC’s blue-collar style and emphasis on team play was, to UNC fans, a symbol of everything that was pure about college basketball.

March Madness: The Ultimate Stage for the Rivalry

The NCAA Tournament, more commonly known as March Madness, has been the setting for some of the most iconic moments in college basketball history, and for UNC fans, it is the ultimate stage where they want to see Duke fail. March Madness represents the pinnacle of college basketball and is a time when fan passion reaches its peak. Every year, millions of fans fill out brackets, with one unifying desire for those loyal to UNC: to see Duke eliminated from the tournament.

This desire to see Duke lose in March Madness is not just a reflection of rivalry—it’s also deeply rooted in the competitive nature of the teams. Both UNC and Duke have a tradition of success in the NCAA Tournament. While UNC has five national championships to its name, Duke has an impressive five as well, making the two schools dominant forces in college basketball. Their annual meetings in the tournament have become legendary, with each game taking on added significance.

The Poll Results: UNC Fans’ Favorite Pastime

A recent poll conducted during the 2025 March Madness revealed some telling results about the intense dislike UNC fans have for Duke, especially when the tournament comes around. When asked which team they wanted to see lose the most in the tournament, 75% of UNC fans polled answered with “Duke.” This overwhelming response speaks volumes about the deep-seated animosity that defines the rivalry.

The reasons behind this sentiment are multifaceted. For one, UNC fans view Duke as the antithesis of their own program. Where UNC fans celebrate the program’s long-standing traditions, history, and team-oriented play, they often see Duke’s approach as a direct threat to that legacy. The recent trend of Duke’s recruitment of high-profile, one-and-done players, like Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, further fuels this perception, as these players tend to prioritize individual accolades over the team.

Another reason for the intense desire to see Duke lose is the consistent success of the Blue Devils. For UNC fans, there’s an undeniable jealousy tied to Duke’s dominance, particularly under Coach Krzyzewski. With five NCAA championships, Krzyzewski’s Duke teams have often overshadowed UNC’s own successes, creating a feeling among Tar Heel fans that Duke’s victory equates to a personal loss.

The Drama of Tournament Matchups

In March Madness, the stakes of a UNC-Duke game are even higher. Each team has its own brand of pressure and expectation, which only intensifies the drama. The history of March Madness matchups between the two teams is full of unforgettable moments. For example, the 1991 Final Four matchup between Duke and UNC, where Christian Laettner hit a last-second shot to send Duke to the championship, remains one of the most heart-wrenching moments in UNC history. The desire for revenge in future matchups has driven much of the bitterness between the two fanbases.

In 2004, Duke and UNC met in the Sweet 16 in a game that was both thrilling and nerve-wracking for fans of both schools. The game saw UNC emerge victorious, advancing to the Final Four, which provided a much-needed boost for UNC fans and a major disappointment for Duke fans. The drama, the high stakes, and the sudden-death nature of March Madness make each UNC-Duke meeting a battle for the ages.

The Importance of Legacy

For UNC fans, the rivalry with Duke is not just about one season, one tournament, or one game. It’s about legacy. The Tar Heels have a long and storied history in college basketball, with players like Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Vince Carter cementing the school’s status as one of the game’s premier programs. The rivalry with Duke is a constant reminder of the pressure that comes with maintaining that legacy.

For UNC fans, beating Duke in the NCAA Tournament is a way to affirm that legacy. It’s about proving that, even with all the success Duke has had, UNC’s legacy is superior. There’s a deep-rooted desire not only to beat Duke but to ensure that Duke’s title run is stopped in its tracks by the Tar Heels, sending a message that, when it matters most, UNC is the team that rises above.

The Psychological and Emotional Toll

Beyond the statistics, history, and drama, there’s also the psychological and emotional toll that this rivalry takes on fans. The feelings of disdain, pride, and passion that arise every time these two teams meet in March Madness reflect a deeper connection to the programs. For many fans, college basketball is more than just a sport—it’s a representation of their identity, their values, and their sense of pride.

For UNC fans, the thought of seeing Duke succeed—especially on the grandest stage of all—stirs up emotions that are deeply rooted in years of competition. Watching Duke lose, especially in March Madness, brings a sense of satisfaction and affirmation. In contrast, seeing Duke win can feel like a personal affront, a reminder that their rivals have once again come out on top.

The relationship between UNC and Duke basketball fans is one defined by competition, pride, and a fierce desire to see the rival fail. As the 2025 March Madness tournament unfolds, UNC fans’ overwhelming desire for Duke to lose remains unchanged, a testament to the enduring nature of this rivalry. It’s a rivalry born from proximity, history, and contrasting styles, but it’s also one that transcends wins and losses. For UNC fans, Duke is the team to beat—and the team they most want to see lose in March Madness.

In the grand landscape of college basketball, few rivalries come close to the intensity and passion of UNC vs. Duke. This rivalry, which has played out on the biggest stages of the sport, continues to captivate the hearts and minds of basketball fans everywhere, and for UNC fans, the desire to see Duke lose is not just about winning—it’s about asserting their place at the top of college basketball’s pantheon.