The Times West Virginian

WVU Sports

April 3, 2010

Mountaineers-Blue Devils a clash of cultures

By Bob Hertzel For the Times West Virginian

INDIANAPOLIS — When West Virginia and Duke meet on Saturday night in an NCAA Final Four showdown it will be more than just a clash of basketball giants.

It will be clash of cultures.

In most of America outside these two limited communities, stereotypes paint each into its own corner.

On one side, you have Duke, the snooty elitists of the world. On the other side you have the down-to-earth Mountaineer image of West Virginia.

Here is how each is viewed to the outside world:

Favorite headwear

• Duke – Top hat

• West Virginia – Coonskin cap

 Favorite prep school

• Duke - Eton

• West Virginia – The school of hard knocks

Motor car

• Duke - Escalade

• West Virginia – Pickup truck

Favorite comedian

• Duke – Joan Rivers

• West Virginia – Larry The Cable Guy

Favorite singer

• Duke - Pavarotti

• West Virginia – Brad Paisley

Favorite music

• Duke – Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony”

• West Virginia – John Denver’s finished “Country Roads”

Favorite TV show

• Duke – Real Housewives of Orange County

• West Virginia – The Beverly Hillbillies

Favorite condiment

• Duke – Grey Poupon mustard

• West Virginia — Gravy

Favorite pastime

• Duke — Croquet

• West Virginia – Deer hunting

Favorite way to tell time

• Duke — Rolex

• West Virginia – “Stomach’s growling, must be dinner time”

Favorite libation

• Duke – 20-year-old Chivas Regal

• West Virginia – 20-minute-old moonshine

Favorite shaving utensil

• Duke – Electric razor

• West Virginia – “Why bother?”

Favorite man named Buffett

• Duke — Warren

• West Virginia — Jimmy

Favorite pose

• Duke – Raising a pinky

• West Virginia – Raising hell

Coaching attire

• Duke – Burberry jacket and tie

• West Virginia – Black Nike pullover

Biggest rival

• Duke – North Carolina

• West Virginia – The world

E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.

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