Coach Mike Krzyzewski is the iconic face of Duke basketball. The floor of Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the Blue Devils, is called “Coach K Court.” In fact, Krzyzewski has single-handedly brought Duke into NCAA basketball prominence.
After five seasons as Army head coach, Krzyzewski left in 1980 to take the Duke job. What followed were three national championships, 11 Final Four appearances, and name branding of one of the premier basketball programs in the nation.
It has taken Krzyzewski six years to return to the Final Four, his longest absence since taking over the program. However, he said, “This isn’t about my vindication or anything like that. It’s about coaching this group of kids, who deserve your full commitment.”
The group of kids he is talking about is devoid of any first-round draft picks in 2010. For a coach who has mentored great players like Grant Hill and Jay Williams, having no first-round draft picks and still making the Final Four as the only No. 1 seed remaining can only be attributed to great coaching and excellent team chemistry.
Senior Jon Scheyer defied all expectations this season by stepping into the point guard position and leading the team. Superficially, Scheyer is not your ideal point guard because he lacks speed and athleticism.
However, Scheyer is an excellent 3-point shooter, has a high basketball IQ, and owns a 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. He makes smart decisions and doesn’t make mistakes—intangibles that have been invaluable to the success of the team.
“I love Jon. He’s not just been a good leader, he’s been a beautiful young man to coach,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s been willing to accept any role, which I think is leading by example.”
After five seasons as Army head coach, Krzyzewski left in 1980 to take the Duke job. What followed were three national championships, 11 Final Four appearances, and name branding of one of the premier basketball programs in the nation.
It has taken Krzyzewski six years to return to the Final Four, his longest absence since taking over the program. However, he said, “This isn’t about my vindication or anything like that. It’s about coaching this group of kids, who deserve your full commitment.”
The group of kids he is talking about is devoid of any first-round draft picks in 2010. For a coach who has mentored great players like Grant Hill and Jay Williams, having no first-round draft picks and still making the Final Four as the only No. 1 seed remaining can only be attributed to great coaching and excellent team chemistry.
Senior Jon Scheyer defied all expectations this season by stepping into the point guard position and leading the team. Superficially, Scheyer is not your ideal point guard because he lacks speed and athleticism.
However, Scheyer is an excellent 3-point shooter, has a high basketball IQ, and owns a 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. He makes smart decisions and doesn’t make mistakes—intangibles that have been invaluable to the success of the team.
“I love Jon. He’s not just been a good leader, he’s been a beautiful young man to coach,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s been willing to accept any role, which I think is leading by example.”
Big East Champs
The Blue Devils’ semifinal opponent on Saturday has its own senior leader in Da’Sean Butler. Butler is the only reason No. 2 West Virginia is in the Final Four. He has carried the Mountaineers on his back all season and his penchant for big game-winning shots has ingrained his name with all basketball fans.
West Virginia’s path to Indianapolis has been quite unexpected. They began the season 11–0 but then went 13–6 to close out the regular season. The Mountaineers did win the Big East Tournament but each step of the way was perilous.
A three-point victory over Cincinnati was followed by a two-point victory over Notre Dame. In the conference championship game, a hard fought battle against Georgetown resulted in a two-point win.
The most important lesson that the Mountaineers took with them to the NCAA Tournament was that the margin of victory was irrelevant as long as you won. Riding a six-game winning streak from the toughest conference, they entered the big dance as one of the hottest teams.
Coach Bob Huggins has always preached defense as the key to winning games. “I think to advance in this tournament, you have to be able to defend,” Huggins said. His team held opponents to less than 60 points in each of their first three tournament games.
Kentucky was the only team to score over 60. The Wildcats’ season average was 79.4 but West Virginia limited them to 66 points. Stellar defense, incredible 3-point shooting, and veteran leadership from Butler and junior Joe Mazzulla fueled the victory over the favored Wildcats.
“I think they certainly had great respect for Kentucky,” Huggins said. “But you know, there’s a difference between respecting your opponent and fearing them, and I don’t think our guys fear anybody.”
The lack of fear will serve the Mountaineers well against the blue-blooded Blue Devils. Huggins is only making his second Final Four appearance, first since 1992 (with Cincinnati), while Krzyzewski is a regular to the semifinal game.
“Bob is one of the great coaches. You know, he’s a good friend,” Krzyzewski said. While the players battle on the court, the real war will be between two passionate friends who have each bided their time for a return to glory.
A three-point victory over Cincinnati was followed by a two-point victory over Notre Dame. In the conference championship game, a hard fought battle against Georgetown resulted in a two-point win.
The most important lesson that the Mountaineers took with them to the NCAA Tournament was that the margin of victory was irrelevant as long as you won. Riding a six-game winning streak from the toughest conference, they entered the big dance as one of the hottest teams.
Coach Bob Huggins has always preached defense as the key to winning games. “I think to advance in this tournament, you have to be able to defend,” Huggins said. His team held opponents to less than 60 points in each of their first three tournament games.
Kentucky was the only team to score over 60. The Wildcats’ season average was 79.4 but West Virginia limited them to 66 points. Stellar defense, incredible 3-point shooting, and veteran leadership from Butler and junior Joe Mazzulla fueled the victory over the favored Wildcats.
“I think they certainly had great respect for Kentucky,” Huggins said. “But you know, there’s a difference between respecting your opponent and fearing them, and I don’t think our guys fear anybody.”
The lack of fear will serve the Mountaineers well against the blue-blooded Blue Devils. Huggins is only making his second Final Four appearance, first since 1992 (with Cincinnati), while Krzyzewski is a regular to the semifinal game.
“Bob is one of the great coaches. You know, he’s a good friend,” Krzyzewski said. While the players battle on the court, the real war will be between two passionate friends who have each bided their time for a return to glory.
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