Hate Mail: Barraged about Blue Devils

Updated Feb. 10

We interrupt this broadcast to bring a late-breaking edition of Hate Mail.

It's your fault. You've bombarded the hate mail in-box to the point where my bosses are pleading for relief. This simply cannot go on until the middle of next week, they tell me. And so here we are, doing a limited-edition version devoted solely to a rather innocuous article -- I thought -- on Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.

From: Jason Tucker

I hate you with a pure passion. You are a jerk and an absolute idiot who does not deserve the job that you have. Coach K not a good man? Are you an idiot? He has done more for college basketball than most people could ever dream of doing. Coach K is wonderful for the game, always has been, and always will be. We need more coaches like him. Duke does not get all the calls. You are just another conspiracy theorist. Duke is 21-1 and the best team in the nation, and you're jealous.

I'm not jealous. What I am, see, is right.

From: Lonnie Hurt

Outstanding. Outstanding. Outstanding ... outstanding. Did I mention that was outstanding? Great, fabulous, wonderful, sublime, near religious experience in reading your fine dissection of Coach K and his underhanded tactics at Duke. About time someone had the guts to write something like this. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Most of the time, such redundancy would be unnecessary. But this time, boy, I kind of liked it.

From: John Vernon

You must be an imaginary character, created to anger readers, because nobody could be as stupid as you are.

Oh, I'm real. And I am this stupid.

From: Todd Biddinger

I'm a high school basketball official in Indiana, and I know what you are saying from the officials' point of view. It is very hard to call an even game with a "living legend" on the sidelines. It is even harder getting "worked" hard by that coach. If I was to take some kind of action against him, I'd have to get out of town fast. I agree with you that it is up to Coach K.

Interesting perspective. But I'm sure Ted Buschman knows more about this than you do.

From: Ted Buschman

Are you a journalist, or has journalism become a form of character assassination? Your treatment of Coach K is shameful, and reflects a total lack of understanding of what your job is. Or perhaps you are a dishonest person.

Funny. I'm dishonest -- but you're the one lying to himself.

From: J. Scott from Madison, CT

When you criticize The Great Calhoun, you're a jackass. But when you criticize Kshesheffsky, you are right on the money.

At least you're honest.

From: Steve

Who the hell cares what you think?

You do. And Steve, it is not reciprocal.

From: Matt

I'm not going to gush too much because I've been on the other side of some of your analysis, but your take on Coach K and his game-day priority of working the refs is DEAD ON! I really noticed it last year in the tourney when they were eliminated by Michigan State and instead of making adjustments during the game his focus was on working the officials. I'm not even an anti-Dukeee, just calling it like I see it.

Even if you were an anti-Dukeee, it would be OK. You're among friends here. Feel the love from Jason Taylor.

From: Jason Taylor

Go to hell, Gregg! Your opinion about Coach K is unfounded.

If you're a good boy, Jason, Santa might bring you something this year.

From: Jon

I think you are making a real big mistake going after Coach K. I am not a Duke fan, in fact, I am a Wake Forest grad. However, I know a great program when I see one -- simply put, Duke represents all that is right about college basketball. Next time you write about Duke, focus on the positive. Make sure you have plenty of paper -- you could be writing for a while.

You are quite possibly the worst Wake Forest fan I've ever seen.

From: Brad Weaver

You are 100 percent correct. Why does it keep happening and the national media not condemn it?

They're not as brave as me. Or as dumb.

From: Matt Bergeron

Coach K should back off the referees? That's a great idea. Perhaps Duke should also sit J.J. Redick for at least 20 minutes a game. He is obviously the best player and hardest worker in the ACC, and it's not fair to other teams that Duke plays him 37 minutes a game.

Class, this is how to argue a point. Well done, Matt.

From: Tim

Your article is ridiculous. You might be right, but to call out only Coach K is wrong. Call out all the other big college coaches both football and basketball with their own article. But I doubt you're man enough to call anyone else out.

Class, this is how not to do it. "Your article is ridiculous ... (but) you may be right"? Better luck next time, Tim. You lost, and I didn't even have to get off my stool.

From: Matt

I am a fan of northeast sports in general, and UConn in particular, and I have to tell you -- what a long strange trip it's been. A few months ago I discovered your posts and loathed you. Now I find your articles alternately maddening and entertaining -- the former when you are ripping my teams, the latter when you go after everybody else's. Today I am a fan; but more importantly to your sponsors, I am a daily reader. Thanks for having original content almost every day, even if occasionally I wish you dead.

You were my dream reader -- the perfect audience -- until your last five words.