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RIO DE JANEIRO -- You love them now, right America?Mike Krzyzewski and Geno Auriemma may have their haters in college basketball, but this is the Olympics. This is when patriotic pride trumps school spirit, when there is no Tar Heel blue, only red, white and blue.So all those fans chanting USA! USA! should be shouting Go Coach K!Well, I hope theyre saying that. Im not sure all of them are completely saying that, Krzyzewski said with a laugh. But I would hope that most people are.College basketball, built on regional rivalries and March Madness, makes it impossible for anyone to be universally beloved, especially when theyve won as much as Krzyzewski has with the Duke men or Auriemma with the Connecticut women.So Auriemma also laughs when pondering fans on both sides of Tobacco Road in North Carolina, or way up on Rocky Top in Tennessee, suddenly being on board with the U.S. coaches.Well, some people are pro-USA but not necessarily pro-Coach K and Geno, Auriemma said. So Im sure theres a faction out there of anti-Duke, anti-UConn people who, `We love the USA so much that we want them to win in spite of those two guys.Theres little need to consider that in most of the Olympics, individual sports with emotional tales of underdogs overcoming the odds to win gold for their country. Thats what makes womens gymnastics so popular.But these guys arent underdogs, theyre definitely not Americas Sweethearts, and they dont come around every four years. For some fans, theyre the Evil Empire, in their faces every November to March.You have to put that aside right now, U.S. forward and former Tar Heels star Harrison Barnes said, although UNC did have a better season this year.Krzyzewski has won five NCAA championships and more than 1,000 games, most in Division I history. The Blue Devils are college basketballs version of the New York Yankees or Dallas Cowboys, the team that fans either love or love to hate -- and the haters believe the TV announcers and referees love them too much.Auriemma has won a record 11 national championships, a man in a womens world who doesnt apologize for the way he wins or talks. His comments sometimes overshadow his games, even back when the Huskies played Pat Summitts Tennessee teams.Now wearing their countrys colors and undefeated heading into the quarterfinals -- Auriemmas team is dominating at a record-setting pace and plays Japan on Tuesday; Krzyzewskis squad has been challenged and faces Argentina on Wednesday -- the guy from Chicago (Krzyzewski) and Philadelphia (Auriemma) should now be popular around the nation.I dont think they really think about those things, U.S. mens assistant Jim Boeheim said. I know Geno doesnt. He thrives on the fact that they root against him.Boeheim, friends with both, said the difference is that Krzyzewski is more careful than Auriemma in choosing his words, not wanting to offend anyone.Mike cares, Boeheim said. Geno doesnt care.Auriemmas response?First of all, Im surprised that Boeheim is even aware of anything anybody says, because he lives in his own world up there in Syracuse, Auriemma quipped. So thats the biggest shocker so far of the Olympics, the fact that he actually pays attention to anything.Mikes been at it a lot longer at a higher level than I have. And hes a West Point guy, and very smart, really bright, and knows how to think before he speaks. So why is that surprising, that I stick my foot in my mouth sometimes?He said hes tried to choose his words more carefully since beginning what he calls the unbelievable experience of becoming U.S. womens coach in 2009, realizing that on some issues hes speaking not just for UConn, but for the country. Auriemma said the writers who cover the Huskies like him less now because he wont say some of the things he used to.Krzyzewski is nearing the end of his 10-year run as U.S. coach, but the former Army captain has been involved with U.S. teams since 1979. He said people who dont necessarily root for him have shown they appreciate him.They say, `Coach, thanks for coaching USA, thanks for taking the time to coach USA, he said. And I tell them, `Look, its an honor. Thanks for watching and cheering for us.And cheering for him.Whether you like Duke or not, you cant underestimate what Coach Ks done. Whether you like UConn or not, you have to respect what Coach Auriemmas done, womens and former UConn star Diana Taurasi said. And I think the more that theyre seen in this setting, you know what, its not (they win) because theyre at Duke, its not because theyre at UConn. Its because theyre great coaches.---AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Green Canucks Jerseys .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Cheap Canucks Jerseys . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. http://www.authenticcanucksshopnhl.com/ . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. White Canucks Jerseys . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Womens Canucks Jerseys . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Club rugby has a pulse. A powerful, healthy pulse. This is despite it being continually neglected, with funding chopped off by those who run the code, and has had to rely on the most selfless of volunteers to survive.But as was shown at the Shute Shield grand final on Saturday, it provides a vital core to the game. It is where so many discover and develop their love of the code. It continues to produce talent for the professional level. And as it involves intense tribalism, it really means something.That it still has a major impact has to be applauded when as the Sydney Rugby Union chairman and president Rob Millner explained in the match program that this years funding from the Australian Rugby Union (had been) cut to zero.You can have your many and varied professional competitions, with cobbled together teams. But for the bulk of the 10,000 or so who were at North Sydney Oval, they would say that the highlight of their season was witnessing this rollicking club final. It was where they can show their true allegiances.As delighted were those involved in the 7Two free-to-air television coverage, who have been enthused with their club rugby figures all season, where in NSW only they have been averaging 65-70,000 viewers per game.It was a highly emotional day. When the teams ran out- there were on-field scuffles among supporters from various clubs- not just the grand-finalists- who had formed tunnels for both sides. And it finished with a crowd invasion before the end of the game in the last minute, when hundreds hopped the fence and made a mad dash down the field to enjoy the moment when one of Sydney rugbys longest droughts ended. The final involved one of the powerhouses of the local game- Sydney University- which in recent times had become accustomed to accumulating premierships- seven Shute Shield titles in the past decade.Up against them was one of the competitions battlers- Northern Suburbs- an organisation which has had its tough times, but always boasted a strong club spirit. Nonetheless they had been under-achievers for some time- not having enjoyed Shute Shield success since 1975, or had appeared in a grand final since 1998.So the Norths diehards arrived at their home ground, buoyant about a lineup that had won 12 games straight to make the grand final, but with reservations, as they were aware of the difficulties of having to confront an opposition long accustomed to success.Among them were Norths Test representatives, including Al Baxter and Richard Tombs, while there was a sighting of their current Wallaby- Adam Ashley-Cooper- on the Hill. In the stands were representatives of Norths 1975 premiership tteam, including their captain Reg Smith, who long ago at the Sydney Sportsground had defeated an impressive Parramatta side that had Ray Price who was about to head to the league ranks.ddddddddddddAnd like any good final, which must have its heroes and villains, they had someone to jeer on Saturday. In the Sydney University side was Tom Carter, long-time Waratah, playing his last game. For years, he has polarised crowds, irritating many with his on-field aggression and often masterful sledging skills. So the anti-Carter chants began.Carter had his moment of retaliation, when after Norths had dominated the first half, he scored after the break right in front of their cheer squad in the Charlie Macartney Stand. With it a fist pump aimed at both the Norths and University fans.It looked as if it had the desired effect, as University again scored shortly after to take the lead 15-13. But Norths, as they have done so many times this season, rallied, breaking through twice, including in the final minute that prompted the crowd swarm. A conversion still had to be taken, but due to the chaos, referee Will Houston had no option but to call full-time.After the game, Carter impressed many with his gracious words, explaining that the Shoremen fully deserved the Shute Shield and that it was a fitting way to end a 41-year famine.But it was still a tough moment.I suppose Ive made a lot of people happy in Sydney tonight going out a loser, Carter said as Norths were being presented with the Shute Shield.Its a shit way to finish your career, I guess. But Ive given it my all. I didnt play for Australia, and I didnt win a grand final in my last game. I still love the game and its given me a lot.Nearby on the field, Reg Smith was delighted he had witnessed such an important club moment and a day that reminded all how crucial this level of the game remains.They are a fabulous side, as theyve come from behind so many times to win, Smith said. They are so gutsy, so spirited. It wont be 40 odd years before we win another one, thats for sure.Its days like these which shows how much spirit there is in club rugby. Its all very well for the 0.1 per cent of the guys who make a living out of rugby, but for the rest this is the real heart and soul of the game.Thankfully there were ARU officials in attendance. After witnessing such a vibrant finale, it would have been impossible for them to ignore the fact that club rugby is alive, well and kicking... but most importantly deserves greater support. Or just some support. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '