Look back at the past year in Duke basketball, and you're liable to see two different sides of the same coin. You're apt to find stories of triumphs and debacles, rebirths and downfalls. You're likely to see some of the best and worst college basketball has to offer.
On the one hand, you'll recall the Duke women's basketball team finishing the season with a 22-9 record and compiling a 10-6 mark against Atlantic Coast Conference foes--both tops in school history. There were last-second heroics. And there was the Blue Devils' first-ever appearance in the ACC tournament finals. And only their second-ever victory in the NCAAs.
Oh sure, there were still some down moments, like a late-season slide that almost cost Duke its NCAA bid and a pair of blowout losses to UNC. But in the end, this season was the story of the Blue Devils rising to new respect, new popularity and a new perch amongst the conference's top teams.
And then you'll look back and think of the Duke men's team, a study in futility and disappointment worthy of any psychological dissertation. The season started well enough, with a string of early (and easy) victories. It went on with out-of-conference victories over Illinois and Michigan. It continued in normal fashion even into the new year with the annual slaughters of North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State.
But then strange, un-Duke-like things began happening around Cameron Indoor Stadium. Like Joey Beard transferring. And Mike Krzyzewski reluctantly trading in his seat on the bench for a couch in his living room. And Greg Newton leaving school after being placed on academic suspension. And losses? You knew those would follow close behind. Eighteen of them to be exact. Fourteen in the conference.
Two basketball worlds, so close together and yet so far apart. Two programs housed in the same gym, yet headed in such different directions. Two seasons that were nothing if they weren't complete opposites.
But were they really that different? A closer look says maybe not.
For instance, if you're in the mood for a film reel full of fantastic finishes, Duke women's hoops would be the logical place to start. First cue up the Blue Devils' Jan. 25 victory over UNC in Cameron, and watch Alison Day sink a buzzer beater to give Duke a historic 74-72 win. Then watch hundreds of fans rush the court faster than Michael Jordan can change careers.
Then fast forward to Duke's second-round ACC tournament matchup against Virginia and watch Kira Orr hit not one, but two, buzzer-beaters to lift the Blue Devils to an 83-82 overtime triumph. A few less fans; even more Sportscenter replays.
Aaah, but you're looking for something in the close-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-hand-grenades instructional series, so you're best bet for prime footage lies with the Duke men. Like in the Blue Devils' double-overtime loss to Virginia on Jan. 14. Or their 102-100 loss to UNC, again in two periods of extra time. Or how 'bout a two-point heartbreaker to Maryland on a Joe Smith tip in at the horn? Hell, take any one of Duke's sub-three-point losses. There's plenty to go around.
But with a little television magic, these games, too, become fodder for yet another bestselling video. Take away a questionable call here, add a little more backspin on that shot there, add a box out and...presto! You've got a season worthy of its own half-hour special on "The Deuce."
But you want to look at the players, and how for the Duke women, this past year was a coming out of sorts for more than one Blue Devil. You'll remember how Day parlayed a summer's worth of workouts into a first-team All-ACC selection. Or how Orr grew from a 5-6 backup into a more than capable floor general. And how Tyish Hall paired with Day to form what should be quite a formidable frontcourt combination in 1995-96.
These stellar performances were no doubt equalled on the men's side of the court. Cherokee Parks solidified his status as a top draft choice. Erik Meek boosted his stock from CBA to NBA value with a series of gritty performances. Jeff Capel showed time and time again he has no fear of the big shot.
For both these teams, these flashes of brilliance are not likely to dim any time soon. The women return all but one starter from this year's squad. And though the four graduating seniors will be sorely missed, they will be replaced by at least four incoming freshman looking to solidify Duke's new-found residence on the road to the Final Four.
The men, too, lose key seniors, but have more than their share of underclassmen to fill the voids. This year's three freshmen had a greater impact on the Duke program than any first-year class in recent memory. Capel still has two years left on his contract. Krzyzewski has as many as he wants left on his.
Yes, this year was a building year for both Duke basketball teams. One saw the effects of that building immediately, while the other will have to wait another year to see results. One team was left smiling, the other with seemingly no reason to smile. Both, however, were left with undeniably brighter futures.
And in that respect, at least, these two teams weren't so different at all.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.