What Coach K had to say after Duke loss to UNC in final home game
By Ethan Lee
Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game didn’t go as Duke fans hoped it might. Here’s what Coach K had to say following the game.
Well, the Duke Blue Devils didn’t exactly have all that much fun in what was Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game.
The Duke basketball legend probably didn’t expect his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium to be a disappointing rivalry loss against the North Carolina Tar Heels, but unfortunately for the Blue Devils, that’s what Coach K ended up getting.
While North Carolina and Duke were close at the half with Duke holding a 41-39 lead, the Tar Heels crushed the Blue Devils in the second half and ended up beating Duke by a score of 94-81.
All rivalry losses are painful, especially for longtime coaches and legendary figures. For a coach like Krzyzewski and a program like Duke, losing to North Carolina like that Saturday evening had to be exceptionally awful.
Here’s what Coach K said after the Blue Devils fell short at home against North Carolina.
Duke basketball: Mike Krzyzewski speaks after Blue Devils lose to North Carolina Tar Heels
Interestingly enough, Krzyzewski took the opportunity to praise his opponent’s best player. Krzyzewski noted that he believed North Carolina’s Armando Bacot is the ACC’s player of the year. That’s high praise for his rival’s star.
You don't often hear a coach say that when he has his own guy who's also a candidate. I honestly am not sure I've ever heard K call another guy POY before voting went final but I could be wrong
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 6, 2022
Of course, Bacot showed out, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds to help the Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils.
"Carolina played great. They played better than we did," K says. "Hubert had them so well-prepared. They didn't play well against us last time, and their program - like ours - is built on a lot of pride, and they showed that today."
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 6, 2022
But, as a whole, the entirety of North Carolina’s roster seemed to be playing on another level. That’s especially true in the second half. The Blue Devils simply couldn’t keep up with the Tar Heels down the stretch.
"It's good to be emotional, especially about good things," Coach K says of his pre-game cry. "You can be emotional if someone is sick or dies, those type of situations. But if you're crying because of joy, you're a pretty lucky person."
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 6, 2022
"I didn't think I'd cry, but I did," K says. "But that's all right. I'm glad this is over. Now I can just coach and see what the hell happens."
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 6, 2022
The moment had to be emotional for Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. This obviously isn’t how he wanted his time at Cameron Indoor Stadium to be remembered, but that’s just what it is.
"I'm disappointed I was not able to honor (Cameron) today at the level that it needed to be honored." -K
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 6, 2022
dark. Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness
For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.