It has become something of an open secret here in the sports hall of 301 Flowers that Duke athletics' best quote isn't Nolan Smith or Donovan Varner or Mike Krzyzewski—though all three have their moments (Smith's coming on Twitter, of course).
No, Duke athletics' best quote does not come from the highest-profile teams, but one of the non-revenue sports. He has exhibited excellent candor, and, if you follow this sort of thing, has more lead quotes in our articles than any other non-coach.
To honor this athlete, we hereby make him the front-runner for the Thaddeus Lewis Quote Me Award, named after Duke's legendary former quarterback. The award will be officially given at the end of the year. For now, though, the leader in the clubhouse is.... Cole Grossman.
As we prepare for Grossman and Duke to take on Coastal Carolina tonight in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, read up on Grossman's best quotes. After the jump are the gems.
“They beat us twice last year, and we’re going to beat them twice this year." —before playing Boston College in the ACC Tournament; Nov. 10
“There’s no love lost between us for sure." —on Wake Forest's program; Nov. 8
“They’re like girls with clothes, sharing each other’s clothes and shoes.... I think Sebestien dresses better." —on Sebestien and Christian Ibeagha in a feature about Duke's freshmen; Oct. 28
“We know what’s at stake at this point.... And to be fair, it’s not what we envisioned at this point.... But there’s no reason to feel bad for ourselves or go away and die. We just need to step up and be men about the situation." —said while perhaps channeling Braveheart in same freshmen article; Oct. 28
“That was a horrible loss. It was one of the most disappointing of my career. I’ve been thinking about it since then.” —not mincing words before a rematch against Davidson; Oct. 4
“It has been on our minds for a year. We respect them enough to dominate them. I think we’re ready to destroy them.” —still not mincing words before rematch against Davidson; Oct. 4
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