Separated By 8 Miles and a Shade of Blue

And Duke Wins
Duke and UNC renewed the greatest rivalry in college basketball last night. The 8th ranked Blue Devils prevailed over the second ranked Tarheels 71-70. UNC had a opportunity to go ahead but failed to get a shot off in the final 18 seconds. Treadway was able to procure not one, but two of the toughest tickets to get in college sports. Had to have been fun. Tonight, well, it took me back.

I've always felt something special for college basketball. As a kid, I dreamed of playing college ball--socks pulled up to my knees, donning my newest "No Fear" shirt--and never neglecting to slap the floor when playing defense on a basketball court (thats dukie D baby). I memorized the name of every college player at every big time program in America--marveled at Allen Iverson's freshmen heroics at Georgetown, witnessed Mayberry, Day, Miller, and co. lead the Arkansas Razorbacks as they took the newly expanded SEC by storm, and as Scotty Thurman and Corliss Williamson followed up with a national title in '94.

Obviously, the pinnacle for myself as a college basketball fan was State's trip to the '96 Final Four. Led by the 3 point specialist Super D darryl wilson, Mr. "Summer Correspondence Hours" Dontae Jones, and Big Erick Dampier, state somehow beat a Ray Allen led UCONN team, a Danny Fortson led Cincy team, all before succombing to John Wallace's Syracuse Orange(men).

It was quite a year, but only stands as my second favorite sports memory of all time--only because I can see state maybe reaching another final four again in my lifetime. As for my favorite moment, the casual fan may expect a repeat, but it will most likely never happen again. Feel free to share a favorite sports moment, and take a guess at what mine is?