Ethics

The Battle for Tobacco Road

By Ed Brayton

"If Justin Timberlake was 6'10" and had a jumpshot and a pissy attitude, he'd be Christian Laettner." So said Seth Davis in explaining why Laettner was so hated by everyone who wasn't a Duke fan in The Battle for Tobacco Road, a documentary about the Duke - North Carolina rivalry in basketball showing this month on HBO. It's a terrific film that really does capture the depth and feeling of what I think is the greatest rivalry in sports. If you get a chance, definitely watch it.

As a Duke fan, though, I'm glad to see Carolina back on top again. I'm glad Roy Williams took the head coaching job at UNC, it's where he belongs. And I'm glad that he led them back to a championship in 2005 and that the Tar Heels are back to being dominant. Now it's up to Duke to step up their game to match them. And I think they will. This rivalry is only going to get better over the next few years and I'll be glued to every game.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on March 14, 2009 (boomark / email).