No, it wasn't Duke, or UNC, State, or Wake Forest. It was the High Point College Purple Panthers. Led by the incomparable Gene Littles and running mate Danny Whitt at guards, 6'11" Jim Picka at center, and Joe Colbert and Steve Taghenhorst at the forward slots, the team won the CC (Carolinas Conference), and eventually finished third in the nation in the NAIA national tournament. Only an upset by Eastern New Mexico State kept the Panthers from the title.
And before you think I am nuts thinking a small school like that could be better than our ACC teams, remember that at that time there was a benefit game played each year after the season between all stars from the CC and ACC. That year the CC All Stars, led by Littles, Picka, and Whitt, blew the ACC Stars out if my memory serves me, by 18 points!
I remember that team well, used to listen to their games on the radio, if Duke wasn't on.
All these memories of my beloved Blue Devils just got me thinking of great teams from that era, and growing up in High Point had to give a shout out to the Purple Panthers of '69!
And, while I am at it, just wanted to say why I became a Duke fan. Was watching a game on tv with my Grandfather, must have been around ten years old. It was Davidson ( coached by Left Driesell) and Duke. Duke won, and I just loved the name "Blue Devils." So I was hooked!!