In a Public Policy Polling release, some interesting numbers come to light regarding North Carolina fans and their likes and dislikes in terms of college athletics.
NC State is the second in popularity in NC, with 19% of respondents labeling themselves as Wolfpack fan. Nearly twice as many respondents, 37% identified as Tar Heel faithful, while a full 25% did not identify themselves as fans of any Big Four school. The Pack’s trailing UNC is understandable, given the success that their programs collectively see, and also because of the constant exposure that their teams receive, especially in events that NC State is not a part of — the Final Four, for example.
Secondly, only 12% of Wolfpack fans have an unfavorable view of Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. That number was surprising to me, I thought it would be at least triple that — if not more. That’s until I think it through. For all intents and purposes, any NC State – Duke basketball rivalry died in the early 1990’s, and now the once-storied series is as lopsided as a match play tournament between myself and Tiger Woods. Few State fans salivate at the thought of playing Duke, and many if not most have a resigned attitude of defeat before the contest ever tips off. Considering that, it is easy to see why Coach K does little to draw the ire of NC State’s fans — his teams apparently are in another league than the Wolfpack.
Q2 Which ACC school do you have the most loyalty to?
If Duke, press 1. If UNC, press 2. If NC State, press 3. If Wake Forest, press 4. If none of the above, press 5.
Duke ……………………………………………………… 14%
UNC………………………………………………………. 37%
NC State ………………………………………………… 19%
Wake Forest …………………………………………… 5%
None of the Above …………………………………… 25%
Krzyzewski’s rating among Wolfpack fans:
Favorable: 51%
Unfavorable: 12%
Not Sure: 37%
