During ESPN.com's 2002-03 Season Preview, the results of a national survey of Division I coaches and players (more than 170 responses) will be unveiled. The graphs below are broken down into three categories: Players, Coaches and Overall results. The comments were made with the assurance no names would be used, allowing those who must deal with the toughest elements this season to express their true feelings entering the 2002-03 season.

Toughest Rivalries?

Overall Survey    Duke/North Carolina (69%)    Duke/Maryland (12%)    Kentucky/Louisville (3%)    Xavier/Cincinnati (2%)

Why?

"Every year, these two teams seem to excel to a different level when playing against each other." ----------------------------------- "Even with UNC not at a high level now, it's still the game each year." ----------------------------------- "No matter what, you throw the records out the window."

"It's a game that recently has been made better by them meeting not only in ACC, but ACC tournaments and Final Four." ----------------------------------- "Recent games have been spectacular to watch." ----------------------------------- "It's the only big game every year." ----------------------------------- "Bad blood for years."

"With Pitino, and now Marvin Stone leaving Lexington, UK fans can't wait to get revenge." ----------------------------------- "Coaches now elevate the hatred of this long-standing rivalry."

Toughest Rivalries?

Coaches Survey    Duke/North Carolina (69%)    Duke/Maryland (9%)    Cincinnati/Xavier (7%)    Kansas/Missouri (5%)    Louisville/Kentucky (3%)

Why?

"Just so much pride when these two teams meet. It's been like this for years." ----------------------------------- "They are just so close to each other, the tradition of both schools, great games." ----------------------------------- "With so many national titles between them, and so many future pros on the floor, it's just a great setting for great games." ----------------------------------- "All eyes are on UK with no professional teams in the state"

"Lately, nothing has been better than these games." ----------------------------------- "So intense, and the stakes have never been higher lately."

"The schools are just two miles away and the city gets into a frenzy during the week leading up to the game." ----------------------------------- "No more Duke/Carolina ... maybe Duke/Maryland, but the fact that UC and XU are two miles away makes it the toughest."

Toughest Rivalries?

Players Survey    Duke/North Carolina (69%)    Duke/Maryland (12%)    Kentucky/Louisville (3%)    Xavier/Cincy (2%)

Why?

"No game have more media attention, tension or hate for each other like this one." ----------------------------------- "Two interstate national powerhouses." ----------------------------------- "Always bring out the best in each other."

"You just know every game is going to be intense, close and exciting all the way to the end." ----------------------------------- "Past few years have just been classic games." ----------------------------------- "The best two teams in the best league."

"Intense history with great games and player involved every year." ----------------------------------- "Look for this rivalry to make a run at the toughest, especially if Carolina doesn't recover from last season."