On the 42nd anniversary of his hiring at Duke, and an occasion that inspired him to spell his name out loud for reporters, Mike Krzyzewski made the NCAA Tournament whole again.
He saw what happened to John Calipari at Kentucky. As much as Krzyzewski hated that Duke lost to North Carolina in his Cameron Indoor Stadium farewell, he would have been devastated had his career ended on a shocking loss to a huge underdog in an arena that houses a primary tenant known as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
Where were the standing, stomping, roaring fans for the layup lines? Where was the school band blaring its triumphant music above the pregame din? Is someone going to show up? Coach K asked himself. “If there’s some way in the future to change that,” said Krzyzewski, who won’t be part of that future.
“I know it wasn’t the shoes,” he said. “Nike called me and wanted me to make sure I didn’t say it was the shoes.” Krzyzewski didn’t go home a loser Friday night. Paolo Banchero, a former NCAA Tournament ballboy, lived out a dream with 17 points and 10 rebounds and called it a “real surreal experience.” The Blue Devils looked fresher to everyone who had seen them staggering about in recent weeks, and their enhanced communication on defense spoke to their heightened urgency to get it right … or else.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch: Best things Tommy Lloyd said as top-seeded Arizona Wildcats prepare for NCAA TournamentHear what Tommy Lloyd said as the Arizona Wildcats get set to face Wright State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego.
Read more »
Aztecs Lose Heartbreaker to Creighton in NCAA TournamentOUCH! San Diego State runs out of gas after leading Creighton for most of regulation, then falls apart in overtime.
Read more »
NCAA Tournament Has Fort Worth BustlingMarch Madness is here with four of the first games taking place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Read more »
MARCH MADNESS LIVE: Indiana basketball vs. Saint Mary's NCAA Tournament First Round scoresWill IndianaMBB advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016? 🏀🔥 Hit the link to follow all the First Round action. MarchMadness NCAATournament IUbb
Read more »
Top-Seeded Gonzaga Pulls Away Late Against No. 16 Georgia State in NCAA TournamentThe top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs used a 21-0 run in the second half to pull away from the No. 16 Georgia State Panthers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Read more »