Brendan Haywood shares what makes the rivalry between UNC and Duke so special: “The build-up is different, it’s a different game”
Brendan Haywood’s memories of the North Carolina–Duke rivalry capture everything that makes this matchup the gold standard in college basketball. For Haywood, who spent four years at UNC, nothing compared to the energy, anticipation, and pressure that came with facing their rival — from the deafening crowds to the intense practices, it was an experience that shaped his mindset for life.
“If there’s one game… I will always miss that game, though,” he said in the “Run Your Race” podcast.
Why does no other rivalry match the stakes?
What makes the rivalry so unique, according to Haywood, is the buildup, all the little things that come before that long-awaited matchup.
“The game, the lead up to it, the buildup is different. It’s different. It’s a different game. The only type of buildup that I think is bigger than that is like when you make that run in the Final Four,” the retired big man explained.
The days leading up to UNC-Duke are filled with tension and excitement, not just for the players but for the entire campus and fan base. The rivalry’s history is filled with iconic moments, legendary players, and games that have decided conference titles and national championship hopes. The spotlight is always on, and the stakes feel higher than anywhere else in the sport.
Haywood quickly points out that, despite other schools trying to claim rivalry status, nothing matches the intensity of this one.
“I know we have a bunch of rivals. NC State, they want to be our rivals. They want to be. Like, you know, Wake Forest, NC State, you’re not a rival. Wake Forest wants to be our rival, you’re not our rivals. You know, Clemson, nah, I’m sorry. Y’all never win here. But at the end of the day, that Duke game is something different,” Brendan said.
