Tag Archives: Coach K record

Duke Basketball

Coach K ties Bobby Knight at 902 wins – Post Game Interview and Thoughts

The Duke Blue Devils made easy work of Presbyterian today and in the process earned Coach Mike Krzyzewski his 902nd win which ties him with his mentor, Bobby Knight. Krzyzewski has played the record low key for a good while now, choosing instead to focus on his team, but there was some emotion today as his players met him after his ESPN interview.

Having been around Coach for several years now, it was clear to me that he was taken aback and he may have finally realized his soon to be accomplishment as the winningest coach in NCAA Basketball history. "I know it's big thing. I'm not minimizing it but it really will happen and the development of my team will only happen right now," said Coach during his press conference.

That's Coach K being Coach K, thinking of his team first but for the first time today, I think it dawned on him that he is in rare air. As I sat through the post game interview session, I realized that I was seated in front of greatness and that few had been able to be as close to a legend as I have been fortunate enough to be.  Actually, I have known that and have been fortunate to have such close proximity to the juggernaut program.

I've thought about writing about my experiences with Coach Krzyzewski and the program but thought that there would be so much out there in the coming days, that it would get lost in the shuffle. But I can tell you that I believed in Coach from the day I first saw him being introduced as the next coach of Duke University. Well, not at first day or at least not that day, but soon thereafter.  That first day was on the side of Cameron Indoor Stadium an he was with his family as he was introduced as the next Duke Basketball coach.

Nobody in the local media could spell his name and most called him "Kroozywooski," or something similar. The man was a fish out of water being from Chicago suddenly finding himself in the slow paced South where he had to get accustomed to many things. Fortunately for Duke fans, he adjusted but nobody on this earth thought they would be seeing what they are now, that being he is one win away from 903 wins.

Practices weren't as tight back then, and I used to sit in on a few. Many thought he was stubborn, running a man to man defense instead of zone and in truth his early teams struggled mightily playing that defense. But, he stuck by his guns for he was developing a system and that is what I saw from the stands that day.  To say that system has been successful is an understatement.

I realized then, that when Coach got the right players for the system he would be successful. The was a year when he missed the likes of Chris Mullin and other stellar recruits, finishing second, but his breakthrough class of Johnny Dawkins, Jay Bilas, Mark Alarie and David Henderson would soon follow.

And he gave Duke fans something they had not seen in a while, consistent winning and NCAA Final Four appearances became standard fare for the Duke program overtime. I will also never forget as a fans, that loss to Louisville for it was the most pain I have experienced as a fan. The reason being they came so close and those kids went through a losing season before completely buying into what Coach was selling.

And you know what? Some now famous Duke fans that get Cameron going led the way with a petition for his firing one day and had that gone through before year three or four, none of this would have come about. Duke fans should count their blessings and be thankful.

The memories Coach Krzyzewski has allowed me are endless and he has brought a lot of joy to my life as a fan.  I was here from the very start when he was just a young buck and I have watched in amazement and glee at the accomplishments, so vast that at times I have to pinch myself. I could go on forever but why do so, for the ride is still going and just like Krzyzewski told me during ACC Media Day, there will be a time to reflect but right now there is more basketball to be played.  That said, I will save those stories for another day.

Duke Basketball

BDN Monday Musings – Records, Recruiting, Cheerleader of the Week

BDN Monday Musings Cheerleader of the Week

It's the Christmas and Holiday season and BDN wishes all of you a safe and happy time.  Duke students are hard at work on their exams while the basketball and football staffs gear up for a bit of recruiting. 

Tickets still avaliable

On December the 29th, a Wednesday evening in Greensboro, Duke will take on UNC-Greensboro in a game that will push their record to 12-0 on the season.  But it is Krzyzewski's record that will be the focus and around 9:00 that evening the HOF coach will pass North Carolina's Dean Smith with 880 wins landing him in 2nd place on the All Time NCAA wins list.  There are still tickets available for the historical game, so get on the horn and make arrangements to be there for a piece of history.  You'll be hearing a lot more on this as the game approaches and you can see that we have added a graphic to salute Krzyzewski's accomplishment.  And 23 wins past that, Krzyzewski will own the record all by himself over his mentor and friend Bobby Knight. 

Krzyzewski keeping it low key

One might think Coach K would be living in the moment with such a record coming but he is more concerned with this seasons team and he seemingly will prolong the urge and joy of celebration.  No matter how you cut it, this will be one historical season but he wants to be the last team standing in Houston, so his work efforts will be focused on that goal rather than the record. 

Holiday Tournaments begin

The Men's Basketball staff wil be hitting up some holiday basketball tournaments where they'll see pretty much everybody on their watch list.  BDN will be taking in a few of the events as well so we can keep the information flowing.  The recruiting picture will begin to clear this month but it'll be spring before we really get a feel for who the new targets will be.

Let's defend

No, I'm not talking about the national title.  Besides, if you are a Duke fan you realize that the Blue Devils do not defend any championship for each year the team changes personnel.  Krzyzewski has put great emphasis on defense during the December games though and that is the first sign of what the team might look like without the injured Kyrie Irving.  It's really not a big departure from last year but expect the team to morph even more in due time.  You can bet that there are some late nights where the staff is rethinking their plans and you of course know by now, that I for one remain positive that Kyrie Irving will be back on Coach K floor before the season is out.

It's "on" come January

Enjoy the break while you can for once January hits it'll seem like Duke is playing a game every night compared to the December lull. Duke plays their first of six conference games starting with Miami in Cameron.  Next up will be Maryland who fancies themselves Duke's rival, again at home but away games with Florida State and N.C. State will give one an idea of how Duke measures up before the February-March run.  Duke will go out of conference with a trip to New York to face St. John's as well.

Singlers time of year

I continue to be impressed that Duke senior Kyle Singler doesn't bump his averages up against weaker competition.  Most players numbers or stats drop come ACC time but that's when Singler picks his game up.  Watch as his numbers trickle up against better comp, a rare thing indeed.  Kyle wants to win first and all else will fall into place.  It should be fun to watch Singler close out his four years at Duke.  That said, realize that this kid stayed when he could have been preparing to hit the road to Boston or Golden State for his next NBA game.

A last minute Christmas Gift thought

Looking for some stocking stuffers for a Duke fan?  Of course there are tickets available for Elon and UNC-Greensboro but Bob Harris has a new book out too.  Bob, of course, is the long time voice of the Duke Blue Devils and his new book "How Sweet It Is!," just hit the bookshelves.  It has a forward from Coach Mike Krzyzewski and even a CD with interviews done with Muhammad Ali and a long list of interesting characters.  My favorite part of the book was when Bob addressed the game where Dean Smith rapped the scoreboard in Cameron and didn't get a technical.  I was there but the game was not on television and Bob recaps what happened on that night and it is simply too good to give away here, so pick up a copy and get the scoop for yourself.

Give the gift of BDN as well

Another gift suggestion is Blue Devil Nation Premium which gives one full site access where you'll be on the inside.  BDN Premium cover more than just recruiting but that is the main draw.  We'll bring you up close and personal be ith the recruiting trail or the hallways of the Final Four.  We'll happilylet somebody know around Christmas that you've purchased them a membership and that is sure to make any Blue Devil fan happy.  We have 1, 3, 6 and 12 month rates that you can link to above.

Duke Football Recruiting

Coach David Cutcliffe and his staff have been hard at work on the trail and with official visits of late.  BDN's Patrick Cacchio has had a bevy of interviews unlike other subscription sites, these are still free at BDN to all at this time.  We'll have more of these interviews as the week progresses so bookmark our site for the best free Duke Football coverage anywhere.