kako
Member
Banks was great. He changed the perception of Duke being a bunch of talented but finesse "smart guys" (code word for white, back in that racist time period) to a program that could recruit inner city. He was hardnosed and tough, and Duke had never had a guy with his athleticism, strength and skill. His shot over Perkins vs. UNC will live forever in great Duke moments.I think Spanarkel had a slightly better Duke career than Banks, at least based on awards
Both were ACC RoY and made multiple All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament Teams (see below) but Spanarkel was also a 2nd Team All-American in 1979 and ACC Tournament MVP in 1978
All-ACC: Spanarkel 3 (2x 1st Team, 1x 2nd Team); Banks 4 (1x 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team)
All-ACC Tournament: Spanarkel 3 (2x 1st Team, 1x 2nd Team); Banks 2 (2x 1st Team)
That being said, without Spanarkel, one can doubt Banks would have even come to Duke. Tate Armstrong was gone, so Tink had to believe in Spanarkel (and Gman, but Spanarkel was the captain). And he was 2nd team A-A, tournament MVP, etc. That Jersey kid was tough as nails. The only reason he's not up in the rafters is that K said only POY or DPOY gets their jersey up there. And of course, graduating. I like the graduating part of the equation. But if anyone who doesn't have both qualifications gets up there, then Spanarkel should be next in line. I loved Banks, but Spanarkel gets his number lifted first before him.
So to keep with the topic, if Flagg gets POY *and* graduates, then hang his jersey. If they hang Flagg's jersey without him graduating, then I want to see Spanarkel's be next. I only know Verga's stats, so I'm not dissing him. But it is indeed important to note that Verga and Spanarkel aren't getting any younger, and you really want to honor someone when they are still alive (except for Pete Rose, who I am fine now seeing in the BBHOF, but I digress...).
9F