It’s not surprising that the majority of the players on this list are Duke Blue Devils. That being said, whether these players were literally just hated out of spite or deservingly so … Here’s our list.
6 – Allen Iverson
Iverson had a target on him first day on campus after spending 4 Months of his Senior Year of High School in prison for allegedly striking a woman in the head with a chair during a bowling alley brawl.
5 – Steve Wojciechowski
Wojo was Rudy re-incarnated as he flopped his way to number 5 on our list. The patented floor smack defense / white guy with a jumper who plays tenacious defense is usually eaten up by Amercica. (Except when he plays for Duke). You know the floor slap is / was a big deal when “The U” remembers it 15 years later – did they seriously do this:
4 – The 1991 UNLV Team
The Runnin’ Rebels compiled a 45-game winning streak from 1990-1991, which included a slaughtering blowout to Duke in the 1990 National Championship Game by 30 points. As 1991 rolled around, the rematch was hailed as your cliched David vs. Goliath matchup, with Duke prevailing – etching “Teamwork over Talent” in the history books.
Why they were hated?
Scandals and Points Shaving.
“Before getting into the actual scandals, we must acknowledge a gambling man that played a huge role in the far-reaching incidents in the ’90s. Richard “Richie The Fixer”
Perry (known only as “Sam” by the players), was a gnat that college basketball could not get rid of — when Perry was around, there was bad news.
Perry was a peripheral figure during the 1979 Boston College scandal — one who was convicted for his involvement. He was also involved in the New York State harness
racing Superfecta race scandal in 1974. When you’re known as “The Fixer” and convicted of two crimes, it’s usually for good cause.
In 1991, a picture of Perry with three UNLV players from the 1989-90 season surfaced. While there was no direct link between this picture and any wrongdoing whatsoever,
it certainly raised more than a few eyebrows when a known gambler and fixer was seen in a hot tub with members of one of the best programs in the nation. Perry gave
money to multiple UNLV players (Moses Scurry, David Butler, and Anderson Hunt) and while no allegations were ever brought against Perry for fixing games with the
Runnin’ Rebels, his ongoing promiscuous relationship with UNLV contributed to the sanctions that the NCAA hit them with. He was added to Vegas’ black book in 1992.”
– LostLetterman.com
3 – The Fab Five
The most prolific and remembered college basketball lineup in the history of the NCAA – Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson. The Wolverines had a cult following remembered for baggy shorts, shaved heads, black socks and trash talk. It was something America had never seen and usually when you buck the trend, it bucks back. ESPN 30 for 30 did a documentary on the team which gives it a proper illustration of not only the team, but also the reaction throughout the nation. Spoiler Alert: Another 90’s NCAA Scandal.
2 – JJ Redick
The combination of arrogance and dominance for 4 Years as a Duke Blue Devil is always a key component. If you add in the fact that he buried every team he went up against, you have a winner. Maryland fans in particular lost their minds, chanting “F*** you, J.J.” and one fan even bragging about sexual exploits with his younger sister. Solid.
1 – Christian Laettner
Dominant. Nuff’ Said – See the video for real life explanations.