Tent One Members: Alex Ho, John Michael Burton, Samantha Cunningham, Agee Springer, Barry Wright III, Britt Walden, Colin Chao Kneeling: Leah Fisher, Kim Marston, Rosie Patino, Victoria Castells, and Lauren DeRuyter
1. TENTING IS AN INVESTMENT…
We set up Tent One on December 26th, and the amount of time and the number of people required to be present in K-Ville has changed several times since. By the time the UNC game tips off, each of our tent members will have spent approximately 196 hours in K-Ville, including 17 nights!
2. …THAT PAYS OFF IN CAMERON
The team and coaches make us feel a part of the team, particularly when Coach K has his “team meetings” with the Crazies. We enjoy having an effect on the game, particularly when everybody gets excited and the noise level gets extreme — there’s a palpable difference when the crowd is into the game, and you can see our energy reflected in the team. All of the best moments in Cameron happen when the Crazies are rockin’ and we love being front and center for them!
3. RULES KEEP K-VILLE IN LINE
Tent 1 only applies to the UNC game and every other game has a separate line and admission policy. There are definitely serious rules and regulations, but without them we could have some disorderly situations. Also, it’s the rules that make tenting hard, allowing people to show their dedication by following them.
4. NIGHTS ARE TOUGHEST
During tenting, only one of us has to be present in K-Ville during the day so our hoops dedication does not get in the way of our day-to-day activities and vice versa. However, from January 4th to January 30th, eight of us have to sleep in K-Ville. Then, from January 31st until two days before the UNC game, two of us are required to sleep in K-Ville. Finally, over the last two nights leading up to the game, each tent member has to be present for three of five personal checks. We are given grace in severe weather conditions and when the temperature hits 20 degrees or below.
5. WE ARE TENTING VETERANS
A good sleeping bag (like a zero-degree) is crucial. A sleeping pad or air mattress makes sleeping easier and warmer. Multiple layers of clothing can go a long way. Tarps are also a K-Ville favorite to keep moisture out when it rains, but our tent happens to be an awesome powerhouse that does not require a tarp to keep us dry.
6. WE HAVE FUN IN K-VILLE
Our tent is located about 100 feet from Cameron and we are there a lot, so we end up seeing the coaches and players almost daily. The coaches will say hi when walking by, and the players generally wave too and sometimes bring us leftover Cook Out or pizza. Last year, we had pop-a-shot set up and a bunch of the players would drop by and play it. Greg Paulus set the all-time record. Overall, a tent might not be our ideal form of shelter, but living in the shadows of Our House has some perks.
7. IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY
Everybody in our tent donates to Crazies Who Care at every game, furthering CWC’s mission of combining charitable fundraising with athletics. Seven of us are very actively involved in CWC and volunteer at the Emily K. Center regularly. We enjoy combining our passion for Duke Basketball with our overall enthusiasm for the Duke community.
8. FRONT ROW IS WORTH IT
Generally, we try to do whatever it takes to be front and center in Cameron because once you go front row, it’s hard to go back. It makes us a feel like we’re part of the game because you’re right there on the floor with the players, coaches and refs. We love the whole experience though — tenting, the game, and the tradition. Seven of our 12 tenters are seniors and we wanted to go out in style. What will we do when tenting is over? Hopefully celebrate with a big bonfire and go from there!
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The Blue Devils rose to a familiar perch in the week 11 college hoops polls, earning the No. 1 rank in both the AP poll and the coaches poll. The ranking marks the 14th season and 93rd week that Coach K has led a Duke team to the top spot in the rankings.
“It’s a big deal for us because it means we’re playing really well,” said Coach K after our 85-44 win over Maryland. “It’s an honor but you don’t get anything from it except a really big headline when you lose.” Jon Scheyer welcomes the national recognition. “Watching Duke when I was in high school, it did seem like they were No. 1 a lot,” said the junior guard. “I feel like this is where we belong.” To stay in the mix for the No. 1 rank and a top seed in the Big Dance, Greg Paulus says the secret is to avoid thinking about it. “You have to get ready for the next game,” said the senior veteran. “You have to control what you can control. We have to keep getting better. That is what we are focused on. We come in every day ready to work. Rankings can be a distraction and we are going to stay the course.” Devils at No. 1 in the Coach K Era Familiar Fixture at No. 1 Six Seasons at the Top
Duke has held the nation’s top spot in the polls in 20 percent of its games played under Coach K (188 games which is close to six seasons!).
Conference Comparison
Since 1985, Duke has been ranked No. 1 in more seasons (14) than the entire Pac-10 (11), the entire SEC (11), the entire Big East (10), and the entire Big Ten (7).
Seasons Ranked No. 1 All-Time Seasons Ranked No. 1 since 1985 Most Weeks at No. 1 by Active Coaches
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Just days after being featured on the front page of CNN.com in President Obama’s first photo in the Oval Office, Reggie Love was named ABC’s Person of the Week. A member of our 2001 national championship team, Reggie played both basketball and football at Duke.
Coach K spoke to the Duke University community today about team building at the school’s monthly Primetime program in the Bryan Center. Primetime is open to all Duke community members, providing a chance for Blue Devils of all departments and ages to hear from and interact with some of the university’s leaders.
Coach K talked about this year’s hoops squad, shared some stories about the Olympic team and discussed his passion for Duke University. “Duke is a place that gives all of us instant credibility,” he said, encouraging all community members to take pride in and ownership of our dynamic university.
Former Blue Devil Reggie Love made an appearance on the front page of CNN on January 21st in a photo taken of President Obama in the Oval Office. Reggie was the President’s Body Man during the campaign and now has a similar role in the White House as his personal aide.
