Nine months after Mike Krzyzewski announced his impending retirement from Duke, the post-K era has officially begun courtesy of sworn enemy North Carolina. On Sunday, the No. 8 Tar Heels knocked off No. 2 Duke 81–77 in the Final Four, ending Krzyzewski’s illustrious 42-season reign and launching Jon Scheyer’s head-coaching career, all in one fell swoop.
From his sideline demeanor to his in-game adjustments, Scheyer’s differences from his predecessor will be picked apart ad nauseam. But it’s the similarities in recruiting prowess that should keep Duke in the heavyweight division of college basketball next season and beyond.
On the recruiting trail, Krzyzewski was known as the ultimate closer whose combination of star power and gift of gab led to multiple top recruiting classes over the years. In January, top junior forward G.G. Jackson told SI that he “was literally shaking” in awe of Krzyzewski as he addressed his team before a game against Syracuse.
