Dave Portnoy has never been one to shy away from sharing his opinions, and after Duke’s heart-stopping collapse against Houston in the Final Four, he didn’t hold back.
The Blue Devils, leading by as much as 14 points in the second half, were left stunned as Houston mounted a fierce comeback in the final two minutes of the game.
The Cougars fought back with incredible intensity, securing a spot in the national title game against the Florida Gators on Monday night.
For Duke fans, it was a devastating loss that ended their dreams of national glory.
However, the team’s unexpected fall from grace wasn’t the only issue.
Fans began pointing fingers at the referees, especially after a controversial foul on Duke’s Cooper Flagg in the closing moments, which added fuel to their outrage.
Portnoy Fires Back at Duke Fans
Dave Portnoy, who had placed a $200k bet on the game, wasn’t about to let the complaints slide.
He immediately took to social media to voice his frustration.
In a tweet, Portnoy criticized Duke fans for blaming the referees and labeled them as “babies” for not accepting responsibility for the loss.
“Duke fans complaining about this foul call are babies,” he wrote. “You blew it.
You couldn’t inbound the ball. You dribbled it off your leg. Proctor played hero ball and missed a free throw.
A million chances to seal it and you’re gonna blame the ref? Loser talk from losers.”
Portnoy went even further, calling the Blue Devils’ collapse one of the greatest chokes in sports history.
“Congrats Duke. You will always be remembered as choking dog losers,” he posted in a follow-up tweet.
A More Serious Problem for Duke Star
As if their March Madness heartbreak wasn’t enough, Duke now faces a more serious issue.
One of their stars, freshman center Khaman Maluach, may be facing potential deportation from the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a drastic measure on Saturday: all South Sudanese passport holders’ visas would be revoked, and no further visas would be issued.
This new policy stems from South Sudan’s failure to promptly accept the return of its citizens who have been repatriated.
Maluach, who hails from South Sudan, could be directly impacted by this decision.
While Duke University has not made an official comment on the matter, the situation has left many wondering what’s next for the young player.
What Happens Next for Duke?
As the dust settles from the team’s crushing defeat, and with the looming visa issue for Maluach, it’s been a turbulent few days for Duke.
While Portnoy continues to voice his displeasure, the bigger concern for the university might be how they navigate these external challenges.
With Duke athletics director Nina King reportedly “looking into” the situation, it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, Maluach might face.
The team’s March Madness dreams may be over, but the drama surrounding the Blue Devils is far from finished.
Fans and critics alike will continue to watch what unfolds both on and off the court in the coming weeks.