I do not have many vices.  I never drink or smoke.  I exercise.  I was chaste until I met my wife and have been faithful ever since.  I drive the speed limit and signal my intention to make a turn...before I start to brake even.  I go to church on Sundays.  I respect my elders.  I keep my (public) cursing to a minimum.  Yet there are some things for which I am not proud of and for which I have no intention of changing.

For instance, I watch One Tree Hill.  At first, I had the excuse that it was about high school basketball, and what is there not to like about high school basketball.  Anyone who has had more than a few conversations with me knows, that my high school's basketball team went 28-0 my senior year en route to taking state.  (And now, you do too.  Go Marshall Bears!)  I mean, of course I am going to watch a show that allows me to recall that.  All the trashy story lines, horrible acting, and the fact that it was aimed at high school girls could be ignored because I was simply interested for the hoops scenes.

That excuse only lasted a season, because, inexplicably in season two, basketball was basically dropped.  There were occasional references to the fact that the primary villain was a former high school legend, and his sons would sometimes shoot a ball while having deep discussions.  All the sudden it was nothing but a serial chick flick...and did I miss an episode.  Not a one.

There is one guilty pleasure that I have even more trouble admitting.  I root for Duke.  I admit it, I am a hypocrit.  It is against everything for which I stand.  They are the "evil empire" on the college hardwood.  Every year they sign the best players who will not go directly to the NBA, and then they pair that sick talent with one of the best coaches to ever stroll an NCAA sideline.  They are the aristocracy of the sport.  Dick Vitale openly cheers for them in his annoying falsetto.  By my standards in every other sport, my second favorite team should be whomever is playing Duke on a given day.  In reality, they are my second favorite team (third being whomever is playing OU on any given day), and I cheer the Blue Devils on whenever I can find them on TV.

Sometimes, I will make excuses for enjoying the team.  They have high academic standards and seem to recruit nothing but high class individuals.  When those players advance to the NBA, they suggest their struggles come from the NBA atmosphere being more about individuals than the team--which is my biggest complaint about the pro game.  Coach K at least feigns humility and is complimentary of any team that gets embarrassed by his game plan.  Mostly, though, I just enjoy watching them play.

I was a kid in the days of Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, and Christian Laettner, but even then I had an admiration for their graceful style of play.  When I was in college, Jason (now Jay) Williams was leading the team, and I marvelled at how he took over games.  Of all the Duke teams I have watched, though, the current team has the potential to be my favorite.  Mainly, because of J.J. Redick.

That is probably another guilty pleasure.  Sure, I am excited by the new arrivals of McDonald All-Americans (naturally) Greg Paulus and Josh McRoberts.  I particularly enjoy that Paulus was also the best quarterback in last year's recruiting class and that he shunned the general public's idea that football is king.  Redick, who is often referred to as the most hated man in college sports, is probably my favorite (non Oklahoma State) player ever.  I am just in constant awe of his shot.  True story:  When my TiVO picked up a Duke/Valpo game, I rewound to re-watch a free throw.  (My wife now threatens to vote Republican in order to assure I cannot leave her to marry him.)  I like the competitive fire that is visible through his eyes.  When people ask me who I think Oklahoma City's Hornets should take in next years draft, my conversation begins and ends with J.J.  They always fire back that he is too short, too one-dimensional, or overrated because he plays at Duke, and in normal circumstances I would agree with them.  (I made the same arguments when discussing Jason White before the NFL draft.)  I just want to be able to watch him in person, and it might as well be on the hometown team.

Anyway, it helps to get these things out of the closet.  Sure, maybe I am not a saint, but I still think I am a good person.  I would elaborate more, but I have to go watch my Season One DVDs of One Tree Hill.