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.
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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