Fansided

Coach K to return to Duke sideline for Saturday’s game

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 21, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts to a call in the first half against the Elon Phoenix at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts to a call in the first half against the Elon Phoenix at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Duke Blue Devils will welcome the return of Coach Mike Krzyzewski this Saturday when they take on Pittsburgh. Coach K missed seven games after back surgery.

After missing seven games due to back surgery on Jan. 6, Duke head coach Mike Kryzewski is set to return to the sidelines for the Blue Devils’ game against Pittsburgh on Saturday. The school announced his return via the men’s basketball Twitter account.

For a Duke team that went 4-3 under Jeff Chapel during Coach K’s absence, the return of quite possibly the greatest college basketball coach of all time is a welcome one for the Blue Devils.

https://twitter.com/DukeMBB/status/827291384210190336

In the first 15 games with Krzyzewski on the sidelines, Duke went 13-2, so this return could make all the different for a talented team that’s somewhat lost its footing in recent weeks.

Coach K was originally expected to miss four weeks with the back surgery, with his original timeline being the highly anticipated North Carolina game next week. Those seven games had an impact on Duke’s standing in the top 25.

The Blue Devils take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, currently ranked No. 21 in the country. Duke is only 5-4 in the ACC, putting them at seventh in the conference standings.

Coach K’s return will hopefully galvanize a floundering Blue Devils squad, or at the very least, prevent Grayson Allen from blatantly tripping someone else.

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Will it be enough to make Duke legitimate title contenders again? That remains to be seen. With the conference schedule about to heat up and two games against No. 12 North Carolina remaining, it’s time for the Blue Devils to get their season back on track.