Duke vs. Maryland: A Rivalry Ignited in 1987

In a pivotal moment for college basketball, the rivalry between Duke University and the Maryland Terrapins intensified during a game on January 10, 1987, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This matchup symbolized the diverging paths of the two programs, as Duke was on the rise while Maryland struggled in the aftermath of a tragic incident that had a profound impact on its team.

Duke entered the 1986-1987 season with high expectations, having reached the championship game the previous year. Despite losing four starters, the Blue Devils maintained a position as a Top 15 team under the leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Meanwhile, the Maryland Terrapins found themselves grappling with the fallout from the death of star player Len Bias, who had tragically died from a cocaine overdose after being selected as the number one pick in the NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

As a result of Bias’s death and subsequent turmoil, Maryland’s long-time coach Lefty Driesell was dismissed. The team faced a difficult season, finishing with a disappointing record of 9-17 under interim coach Bob Wade. This marked a stark contrast to Duke’s success, as the Blue Devils began to establish themselves as a national powerhouse.

Duke’s ascent was accompanied by Maryland’s decline, leading to a growing animosity among Terps fans. The fierce competition that had characterized their encounters in the early 1980s faded as Duke began to dominate. This shift set the stage for a rivalry that would deepen over the years, particularly as Duke continued to excel under Krzyzewski while Maryland struggled to regain its footing.

The 1987 matchup at Cameron was not just another game; it was a turning point that ignited a fierce rivalry. The loss of Bias had left an indelible mark on Maryland’s program, and the subsequent struggles of the team fostered resentment toward Duke, a school that had once been their equal. For many Maryland fans, the emergence of Duke as a dominant force only intensified feelings of rivalry and frustration.

In the years that followed, Bob Wade’s tenure at Maryland would be short-lived, lasting only three seasons. He departed amid an NCAA investigation that tainted the program’s reputation. In 1989, former player Gary Williams returned to take the helm, inheriting the challenges left behind by Wade’s mismanagement and the NCAA’s penalties. Williams’s perseverance would eventually help restore Maryland to prominence, but the rivalry with Duke would remain a defining element of both programs’ histories.

The passionate disdain for Duke that began to crystallize in 1987 would continue to evolve, particularly during the era of players like Shane Battier and Jason Williams. These encounters became legendary, as both teams fought for supremacy in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

As college basketball fans look back on this storied rivalry, the 1987 game serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of sports. The contrasting trajectories of Duke and Maryland not only shaped their respective programs but also left a lasting impact on the culture of college basketball.