The Syracuse Orange and Duke Blue Devils have never been rivals. Small ‘r’, Big ‘R’ or ALL CAPS “RIVALS” — the phrase just hasn’t stuck well enough.
Don’t get me wrong. These games have largely meant something since the Orange joined the ACC. SU itself wanted you to buy into the concept, as did then-United States Vice President Joe Biden. We pushed for it a bit ourselves as well, to hopefully conclude the search for our “true” post-Big East rival on the basketball court.
The matchups have possessed intensity, pomp and some circumstance.