Villain the blank

Grayson Allen is hardly the first Duke player to be vilified by fans. Here’s a look at some of the other hated Blue Devils:

1. CHRISTIAN LAETTNER

Infractions: Arrogant, dirty, and egotistical, he was universally hated. His crowning Duke achievement, the Elite Eight buzzer-beater to beat Kentucky in 1992, was shrouded by Laettner stomping on the chest of Kentucky’s Aminu Timberlake earlier in the game and only earning a technical foul. He was disliked so much an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary called “I Hate Christian Laettner” was created. Villain level:

2. J.J. REDICK

Infractions: A lights-out 3-pointer shooter, he would often follow made shots with trash-talking and obnoxious head-bobbing. Before Grayson Allen, he was the modern-day version of Laettner, arrogant and cocky. He once talked trash with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti in a game at Maryland, waved to the crowd at Florida State after a buzzer-beater in Tallahassee, and gave a pointed three fingers display in a game at North Carolina. Years later, he even admitted in an interview, “I was kind of a prick.” Villain level:

3. STEVE WOJCIECHOWSKI

Infractions: Known for slapping the floor, the annoying way Duke got ready to play defense, and flopping for charge calls. Well after his playing days, Miami players mocked “Wojo” and Duke by slapping the floor. Villain level:

4. SHANE BATTIER

Infractions: Picked up the floorslapping, flopping ways from Wojciechowski. Unlike the small guard, he was a very talented player who had a 13-year NBA career, which only enhanced the hate. The Duke chant of “Who’s your daddy? Battier” drove opposing fans nuts. Villain level: