Tag: Mike Krzyzewski

Mike Krzyzewski apologized to Duke fans after loss to North Carolina in his last home game: ‘Today was unacceptable’

Sure, it was “unacceptable.” But you’re Duke head coach! Doesn’t that mean anything?

It wasn’t exactly the outcomeΒ Mike Krzyzewski wanted on Saturday night.

In Coach K’s last home game at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, the pomp and circumstance came out in full force. Hated North Carolina was the opponent, and everyone would, by game’s end, profess how incredible of a coach Krzyzewski was as he started to wrap up an illustrious career. There was only one problem: No one told the Tar Heels they were supposed to roll over.

Instead, an unranked North Carolina handed Coach K one of his worst-ever home losses in his finale in front of the people who care most about his coaching.

What a cruel irony not lost on the 75-year-old Krzyzewski.

So much so that during his post-game remarks — where the coaching legend was supposed to offer some words of wisdom and thanks — he felt the need to interrupt his moment.

Yes, Krzyzewski let his inner coach out and apologized for Duke’s poor effort.

After waving off someone who was undoubtedly telling him it was okay, Krzyzewski called the performance “unacceptable” twice in succession.

Coach K composed himself before completely venting his coaching rage out in front of almost 20,000 pairs of eyes. He finished, “Today was unacceptable, but this season has been very acceptable.”

We agree, Mike. Let’s keep the disappointment for our players private, out of respect for them, and keep the focus on you, for all of your accomplishments. We’re glad Krzyzewski understood.

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College hoops fans roasted Duke for losing to North Carolina in Coach K’s last home game

On a night like this, the schadenfreude comes out in full force.

In almost 42 years as Duke’s head men’s basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski has made a lot of friends and built a lot of meaningful lifelong relationships. Of course, win as much as Coach K’s teams over the decades, and you’re bound to make some bitter enemies, too.

Saturday night was Krzyzewski’s last game at Duke in front of a home crowd. Customary celebrations for a man who did so much, for this one program, were in order. But when a historic rival like North Carolina — who arguably has the greatest stake to hating everything Duke and Coach K — upends such celebrations in a 94-81 win, avid followers of the sport will respond in kind.

When the third-biggest blowout loss of your career to an unranked opponent happens on your home court, against a team who loves to loathe you — the jokes will be nonstop.

And college hoops fans were anything but kind to Duke, but especially Krzyzewski.

Despite a stunning loss to North Carolina, Duke might still be a great bet to win it all in Coach K’s final season

After four decades, Coach K has still got that extra special something.

Few coaches could dare be as successful as Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. In almost 42 years in Durham, Coach K has led the Blue Devils to fifteen 30-win seasons, 12 Final Fours, five national championship wins, all the while capturing the Naismith College Coach of the Year award on three separate occasions. He’s already a Basketball Hall of Famer (inducted in 2001) and is in the conversation for one of the greatest coaches ever, regardless of sport or league.

After such sustained excellence, Saturday evening was the last time Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski will have ever roamed courtside at Cameron Indoor Stadium. In what is both poetic and unequivocally planned, No. 4 Duke played historic rival North Carolina (who came in as an 11-point underdog on Saturday). The Tar Heels would win 94-81, but Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils, as usual, have higher aspirations.

What’s even better than Krzyzewski’s last home game against a rival is that this year’s Duke has an excellent case for winning the Men’s National Championship. According to Tipico Sportsbook, Duke has +220 odds to make Krzyzewski’s 13th Final Four (with only Auburn, Arizona, Kentucky, and Gonzaga faring better) and +1200 odds to win the whole dance (which would make them fourth-best).

The Blue Devils, led by potential Freshman of the Year and surefire NBA lottery pick Paolo Banchero, have the nation’s No. 10 scoring offense (80.3 points per game). Not to be outdone, while not a shutdown squad, they are one of the country’s better defensive teams scoring-wise, too (65.3 points per game allowed). Even better, in what is assuredly a credit to Coach K’s steady hand, Duke plays disciplined defense without fouling. Opponents, on average, get a little over 11 total free throw attempts a game, which would make Duke second in the country. No one gets any freebies on this Krzyzewski squad.

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

I’m not saying that Duke is a surefire pick to cut down the nets in a few weeks. It’s more that we should be appreciative that one of the all-time coaches has the possibility of going out on top, something that doesn’t happen every time a legend steps down.

But then again, are you surprised? Coach K’s record with Duke speaks for itself. We’ll see whether he can take Duke to the top of men’s college basketball one last time. In what might be the most symbolic tribute to Krzyzewski, he and they are certainly more than capable.

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Mike Krzyzewski was brought to tears by Duke’s lovely video tribute

Krzyzewski earned every right to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Spend 42 years in one place like Mike Krzyzewski and Duke, and there are bound to be emotions. Saturday evening was Coach K’s final game at Duke, a place where he’s made countless memories games and won countless games. The celebrations matched the moment.

Players who had pleasure of being coached by him poured in with heartfelt messages of gratitude. Fans, who enjoyed an unprecedented run of success thanks to his coaching of their team, went bananas when it was time to introduce him. In a special moment like Saturday, waterworks are not only more than understandable, they’re inevitable.

The Duke men’s basketball (and probably greater athletic department) administration had perhaps the consummate way to honor the amazing coach:

A time capsule video, including shots of his old bowl cut and all, was revealed during pregame festivities.

After everything he’s accomplished inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Krzyzewski’s reaction was predictable. He couldn’t hold back his emotions.

After the life he’s taken meticulous care to construct in Durham over the years, Krzyzewski deserves to get his flowers. Of anyone, it’s his moment to sit back and bask in the end of a fantastic era.

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Jerry Seinfeld was at Coach K’s last Duke home game and college hoops fans had jokes

All Jerry wanted to do was watch a Duke game.

Some tickets are hotter than others. Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium as Duke already drew some exorbitant prices for the privilege of a seat inside. If they could take the hit to the wallet, not many would want to miss a seminal moment for one of the greatest college sports coaches.

One of the people that could assuredly afford such a luxury is comedian Jerry Seinfeld. In a milestone moment capping an incredible run for the Blue Devils coaching legend, Seinfeld opened his checkbook (probably) and made a courtside appearance — he was seated next to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

College hoops could not bite their tongue without first making a joke at Seinfeld’s expense.

Duke fans go wild as Coach K takes the floor through a tunnel formed by former Blue Devils stars

One last time in front of the Cameron Crazies.

Forty-two seasons, 1,430 games, five national championships and 12 Final Four appearances.

Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s resume speaks for itself. Of all the coaches who shaped this game, perhaps only UCLA’s John Wooden can claim more success and a greater impact on the sport as a whole.

We’ve known this was Coach K’s last year in Durham since the offseason, but on Saturday, it got very real as he took the court β€” which bears his name β€” at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the final time.

He did so surrounded by a tunnel of former Duke stars, a perfectly fitting sendoff for a man who has been the face of college basketball for the better part of four decades. It’s also perfectly fitting that his last game at the Blue Devils’ home arena came against their most bitter rival in North Carolina.

It was a special scene, to say the least.

It was also clearly an emotional moment for Krzyzewski, who has been entering the court in that building as the head coach since 1980.

It will certainly be bizarre when current assistant coach Jon Scheyer takes the reigns next season and leads this team into Cameron Indoor, instead. But the book hasn’t closed on Coach K’s tenure just yet.

His Blue Devils squad entered the regular-season finale at 26-4 with the best record in the ACC at 16-3. Duke is all but guaranteed a top-two seed in the NCAA Tournament, which begins in two weeks, and Coach K will look to add one last piece of hardware as a parting gift to the Cameron Crazies.

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College hoops fans crushed ESPN for its coverage of Mike Krzyzewski’s pregame ceremony

Really, ESPN?

I don’t know if you’ve heard about this or not but tonight is Mike Krzyzewski’s last home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils.

Making this night all the more special is that the game is against North Carolina, Duke’s rival and a program that Coach K’s teams have had some legendary battles with over the years.

But there was one problem before the game began – ESPN was airing the huge Texas-Kansas game which was running just a bit long and spilled over the Coach K coverage.

This presented a tough decision for ESPN, which decided to go split screen for Coach K’s entrance:

 

That Texas-Kansas game actually went to overtime, forcing ESPN to start the UNC-Duke game on ESPN2. Somebody probably should have seen this coming beforehand and moved the start of the UNC-Duke game back a bit.

Big 12 fans and Duke fans were not happy about this decision.

The entire basketball world paid homage to Coach K ahead of his final home game at Duke

Coach K has impacted basketball in an immeasurable way.

Mike Krzyzewski is so influential in basketball as a sport. It’s not limited to just one section.

It isn’t just the players he’s coached through the years β€” though, they’re showing up to his final game in droves. It’s not just the NBA players he’s coached through Team USA or the ones that have watched him from afar through the years. It’s not even just the coaches he’s gone up against.

It’s all of them. All of them combined.

He’s touched so many people through this sport of basketball that we all love. And for his final game, so many of them paid tribute to him in one way or another.

Here’s a look at some of the kind words from folks that have shown up through social media.

Here’s a list of every former Duke player showing up to Coach K’s final home game

This list is Coach K’s real legacy at Duke.

Mike Krzyzewski is preparing to coach his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium and, of course, it’ll be against UNC.

This is a special occasion. It marks the end of four decades of straight success from one of the greatest coaches the college basketball world has ever seen.

Through the years, Coach K has touched a number of players both on and off the court. They’ve come through his program, had success, won championships and then some. Some of them have even gone on to become NBA legends.

It’s pretty clear that he’s had a monumental impact on so many of them. There’s proof, too. There are a bunch of them coming back to celebrate him on his final night at home.

So. Many. Names.

Elton Brad, Jay Bilas, Carlos Boozer, Shane Battier, Ryan Kelly, Amile Jefferson, Grant Hill, David and Gerald Henderson. There are so many names here. So many generations of players. So many moments. So much success.

Seeing this list and seeing the love Coach K is still getting from these players is a really cool thing. This is an amazing way to send him off.

Win or lose, this moment will be special.

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Who did Duke choose to replace Mike Krzyzewski after Coach K steps down?

Get to know Jon Scheyer.

As you may know, Mike Krzyzewski is stepping down as Duke’s head coach after 42 years (!) of a legendary run that’s included five national men’s championships.

But if you’re here, you might be wondering: Who’s taking over as the new head coach of the Blue Devils when he retires after this year’s men’s March Madness?

Say hello to Jon Scheyer.

He’s a former Duke star who played for the Blue Devils from 2006 to 2010 and he captained the team that won a national title in his final year.

After playing hoops overseas, Krzyzewski hired him in 2013 to join the coaching staff and became a full assistant soon after. He filled in as head coach against BC when Coach K had to quarantine in 2021 and Duke won.

Like everyone, he was getting ready for the legendary coach’s final game at Cameron Indoor.

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