Coach Okay’s farewell tour: Duke beats Florida State as Mike Krzyzewski returns for penultimate residence recreation

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski returned to the bench for his crew’s 88-70 win over Florida State on Saturday after lacking the second half of Tuesday’s win over Wake Forest because of a well being scare. The No. 9 Blue Devils saved stress ranges down for Coach Okay and a raucous crowd by dismantling an injury-plagued FSU crew with an 52% capturing efficiency. With the win, Duke improved to 23-4 (13-3 ACC) and pulled forward of Notre Dame atop the ACC standings after the Combating Irish fell to 12-4 in league play with a loss at Wake Forest.

Six gamers reached double figures for Duke on Saturday, led by 17 from Paolo Banchero. Although the Seminoles (14-12, 7-9) have been rocked by accidents throughout convention play, the result marked a little bit of redemption for the Blue Devils after they misplaced 79-78 within the first assembly at FSU on Jan. 18. Saturday’s commanding win additionally introduced validation for Duke after it was included as the highest No. 2 seed in Saturday’s NCAA Males’s Bracket Preview.

With Duke heading on the street for its subsequent three video games, Saturday’s recreation was the next-to-last at Cameron Indoor Stadium for Krzyzewski as he prepares to retire on the finish of the season. His final residence recreation can be March 5 because the Blue Devils conclude the common season in opposition to arch rival North Carolina in what can be a historic second inside faculty basketball.

As Krzyzewski coaches his forty second and ultimate season at Duke earlier than handing this system over to affiliate head coach Jon Scheyer, we are going to replace this piece with the newest tributes — and tribulations — from the farewell tour of a training legend.

The way to watch Duke at Virginia dwell

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 23 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: John Paul Jones Area — Charlottesville, Virginia
TV: ESPN | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Attempt at no cost)

Wake Forest well being scare

Krzyzewski was not on the bench through the the second half of the No. 9 Blue Devils’ 74-72 victory over Wake Forest on Jan. 15 due to a well being scare. He defined later that he wasn’t feeling nicely through the half and felt as if he may move out upon standing to return to the locker room at halftime. With out Coach Okay on the bench, Jon Scheyer took command and coached the crew to a dramatic win. Wake Forest used a late 9-0 run to tie the sport at 74 with 20 seconds left. From there, Mark Williams received it for Duke with a dunk on a follow-up shot within the ultimate second that was initially waved off because of basket interference. It wasn’t Scheyer’s first time with solo command of the crew this season as Coach Okay additionally missed Duke’s first win over Wake Forest on Jan. 12 with an sickness.

BC steps up with a donation

Boston School grew to become the newest ACC program to announce a donation to the Emily Okay Heart upon Krzyzewski’s ultimate go to to their area. The Eagles made the announcement on Feb. 12 earlier than the No. 7 Blue Devils knocked off BC 72-61. The Emily Okay Heart is a nonprofit group in Durham, North Carolina, named after Krzyzewski’s mom that gives academic packages.

Florida State and Clemson are the opposite colleges which have made related pledges this season as Krzyzewski makes his ultimate tour across the convention earlier than retiring on the finish of this season. The victory over the Eagles improved Duke to 21-4 (11-3 ACC) as 5 gamers reached double figures, led by freshman phenom Paolo Banchero’s 16 factors and 14 rebounds. It was Banchero’s eighth double-double of the season and second straight.

David Collins incident

Duke simply dealt with Clemson 82-64 on Feb. 10, however Krzyzewski’s ultimate street recreation in opposition to the Tigers got here with some extracurricular drama. Tensions rose within the first half when Clemson guard David Collins undercut Blue Devils’ wing Wendell Moore Jr. as Moore tried a breakaway dunk. Collins obtained a Flagrant 2 foul on the play and was ejected after Coach Okay got here on to the ground in protest. Moore was capable of return to the sport, and Collins apologized to Coach Okay, which helped diffuse the state of affairs. Earlier than the scary enjoying involving Moore and Collins, the night time started in cordial style when Clemson introduced it is going to donate $5 for every of Krzyzewski’s profession victories to the Emily Okay Heart, a nonprofit group named after Krzyzewski’s mom.

Dropping to Virginia

Coming off an emotional victory at rival North Carolina on Saturday, No. 7 Duke misplaced to unranked Virginia 69-68 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Feb. 7. Cavaliers sophomore guard Reece Beekman drilled a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining because the Blue Devils misplaced for the primary time since a Jan. 18 defeat vs. Florida State on Jan. 18. Duke’s Paolo Banchero, who scored a season-low 9 factors, had an opportunity to win the sport for the Blue Devils, however his desperation 3-point try hit solely the aspect of the backboard because the buzzer sounded.

Successful massive at UNC

There have been no plaques, well mannered golf claps, video montages or different commemorative gestures as Krzyzewski coached his ultimate recreation on the Dean Smith Heart on Feb. 5. As a substitute, the Tar Heels’ followers booed as he was launched in a reminder of simply how bitter the Duke-UNC rivalry is. The Blue Devils responded by laying an 87-67 whooping on UNC that ensured Coach Okay will finish his teaching profession with a profitable document in opposition to Duke’s arch rival. AJ Griffin led the best way with a career-high 27 factors. With first-year UNC coach Hubert Davis teaching his first recreation within the rivalry, it implies that Krzyzewski’s tenure has now touched the tenures of 5 totally different North Carolina coaches. Davis will get at the very least yet one more shot at Coach Okay when the groups meet once more at Duke on March 5 within the regular-season finale for each. For a glance again at some the rivalry’s prime moments from Krzyzewski’s tenure, try this hyperlink.

Beating Notre Dame, getting ready for UNC

Following a 57-43 win at Notre Dame on Jan. 31 that improved the Blue Devils to 18-3 (8-2 ACC), Duke turned its consideration to getting ready for its first recreation with North Carolina. The Tar Heels received each conferences between the packages final season, which despatched legendary UNC coach Roy Williams into retirement on a optimistic be aware throughout the parameters of the storied rivalry. The distinction was that Williams didn’t announce his retirement till after the season. Krzyzewski is on what quantities to a farewell tour, and it ratchets up the hype for his ultimate journey to the Dean Dome. The reception needs to be a bit extra cool than the one he obtained at Notre Dame from Combating Irish coach Mike Brey, who was an assistant at Duke below Coach Okay from 1987 to 1995.

Denny Crum greets Coach Okay

Legendary former Louisville coach Denny Crum introduced Krzyzewski with a personalized Louisville Slugger baseball bat and a bottle of bourbon that includes Krzyzewski’s face earlier than the Cardinals and Blue Devils squared off on Jan. 29. Louisville additionally gave Duke all it may deal with on the court docket earlier than Coach Okay’s squad escaped with a 74-65 victory. With Trevor Keels out of the lineup as soon as once more because of a leg harm, an enormous recreation from fellow freshman AJ Griffin helped propel Duke to the win. Griffin scored 22 factors and hit all 5 of his 3-point makes an attempt.

Blue Devils bounce again with out Trevor Keels

Duke responded to a Jan. 18 loss at Florida State by knocking off Syracuse 79-59 on Jan. 22 in Coach Okay’s final time internet hosting buddy and longtime teaching rival Jim Boeheim from Syracuse. The Blue Devils’ subsequent recreation featured a bit extra drama, although. Clemson staged a valiant upset bid earlier than Duke closed robust for a 71-69 victory on Jan. 25 that improved its residence profitable streak in opposition to the Tigers to twenty video games. Paolo Banchero led the Blue Devils with 19 factors whereas sophomore middle Mark Williams contributed a double-double with 10 factors and 10 rebounds. Banchero’s made shot with 10 seconds left put Duke up 71-67 and helped cement the result. Lacking for the second straight recreation was freshman guard Trevor Keels, who was injured within the Florida State loss. Sophomore level guard Jeremy Roach re-entered the beginning lineup in Keels’ place and amassed 18 assists vs. simply two turnovers within the wins over Syracuse and Clemson.

FSU honors Coach Okay and fingers Duke a loss

Florida State honored Krzyzewski earlier than the Seminoles hosted the No. 6 Blue Devils on Jan. 18 by saying a donation to the Emily Okay Heart. The Seminoles’ followers additionally gave him a pregame standing ovation as he made his ultimate journey to the Donald L. Tucker Heart as Duke’s head coach. However the applause and the donation to the philanthropic group close to the Duke campus named in honor of Krzyzewski’s mom have been the extent of the pleasantries. As soon as the ball was tipped, FSU turned tenacious and used a decisive edge in factors off turnovers and second-chance factors to safe a 79-78 time beyond regulation victory. Duke may have an opportunity for revenge on Feb. 19 at Duke in what might be the final nice battle between Coach Okay and FSU’s personal legendary coach Leonard Hamilton.

Coach Okay out sick

Simply hours earlier than a Jan. 12 recreation at Wake Forest, Duke introduced that Krzyzewski would miss the sport due to a virus unrelated to COVID-19. In his absence, Jon Scheyer was tabbed appearing head coach. Contemplating that Scheyer is taking up for Krzyzewski after this season, the sport arrange as a preview of what is forward for this system. It introduced an encouraging outcome because the Blue Devils outlasted the Demon Deacons 76-64 behind a mixed 46 factors from Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin. He returned on Jan. 15 for Duke’s win over NC State because the Blue Devils acquired a mixed 40 factors from entrance court docket gamers Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams.

First residence loss

The Blue Devils misplaced 76-74 at residence to Miami on Jan. 8. It was their first residence lack of the season. A Kameron McGusty jumper put the Hurricanes forward 75-74 with 20 seconds left, and Duke missed three potential go-ahead pictures from there, together with a 3-point miss from Trevor Keels as the ultimate buzzer sounded. Coach Okay pointed to turnovers as a chief challenge within the recreation because the Blue Devils turned it over 17 occasions, versus Miami which dedicated simply 5 turnovers.

COVID-19 pause and Devoe drama

Duke started ACC play with a 76-65 residence win over Virginia Tech on Dec. 22 however then a velocity bump. As a lot of faculty basketball handled scheduling disruptions because of COVID-19 points, the Blue Devils have been amongst these hit by the virus. That saved them from enjoying their second and third league video games as scheduled in opposition to Clemson and Notre Dame, that means Duke’s second ACC recreation did not come till Jan. 4 in opposition to Georgia Tech.

The pause did not appear to hassle the Blue Devils an excessive amount of as they knocked off the Yellow Jackets 69-57 of their first recreation again. The sport featured some extracurricular drama as Krzyzewski and Georgia Tech star Michael Devoe exchanged phrases late within the second half after Devoe pointed at Coach Okay and the Duke bench following a basket that prompted a Duke timeout.

“He stated ‘you do not know who you are speaking to,'” Devoe recalled of his alternate with Krzyzewski. “However I used to be simply attempting to compete with them. That is all there was. So I suppose he took it the improper approach. However me as a competitor, I wish to beat Duke.”

Getting back from break

Duke had a two-week hiatus between video games spanning the primary two weeks of December amid the ultimate examination interval for the college. Nevertheless it returned with a 103-62 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 14 and adopted that with a 92-67 victory over Appalachian State on Dec. 16. It was speculated to play Loyola (Maryland) on Dec. 18, however the assembly was canceled due to a COVID-19 challenge throughout the Loyola program. Substitute opponent Cleveland State additionally needed to cancel on Duke due to the identical challenge, which left the Blue Devils scrambling to discover a third potential opponent for the slot. Elon agreed to play on quick discover, giving Duke one ultimate tune-up earlier than ACC play.

The wins over South Carolina State and Appalachian State have been two of one of the best video games but for freshman ahead AJ Griffin. He made 5 of 9 makes an attempt from 3-point vary over these contests to bolster the crew’s perimeter capturing outlook after it struggled in that aspect through the first month of the season.

Brief keep at No. 1

Simply in the future after rising to No. 1 within the AP High 25 on the heels of an exciting win over Gonzaga, Duke dropped a 71-66 choice at Ohio State within the ACC/Large Ten Problem. The Buckeyes outscored Duke 41-23 within the second half and roared again from a 15-point deficit behind a 20-point night time from sophomore massive man Zed Key. Wendell Moore Jr. led the Blue Devils with 17, and Paolo Banchero added 14. However Banchero struggled within the second half, going 0-for-7 from the sector within the second half.

Knocking off the Zags, rising to No. 1

Duke improved to 7-0 with an 84-81 win over No. 1 Gonzaga on Nov. 26 in entrance of a crowd of 20,389 at T-Cellular Area. It was the biggest crowd to ever see a basketball recreation in Nevada, they usually have been handled to a thriller. Paolo Banchero scored 20 factors within the first half earlier than coping with cramps within the second half and going quiet. Wendell Moore Jr. picked up the slack by scoring 16 of his 20 factors within the second half.

The victory improved Krzyzewski to 7-11 all-time in opposition to No. 1 ranked groups, and it catapulted the Blue Devils to No. 1 within the new set of rankings launched three days later.

Preparing for Gonzaga

Duke simply received video games in opposition to Lafayette and The Citadel on Nov. 19 and Nov. 22 because it ready to face No. 1 Gonzaga on Nov. 26. The Blue Devils beat Lafayette 88-55 behind a 23-point outing from Wendell Moore Jr. Duke beat The Citadel 107-81 behind a mixed 50 factors from Moore and Paolo Banchero. There was a scary second within the Citadel recreation, when Bulldogs’ coach Duggar Baucom collapsed on the court docket within the first half. He stayed in a single day at Duke College Hospital and was launched the afternoon after the sport.

DWI cost for grandson

An in any other case sterling begin to Krzyzewski’s ultimate season hit a velocity bump within the early morning hours of Nov. 14, when Duke walk-on Michael Savarino, who’s Krzyzewski’s grandson, was arrested for suspicion of DWI. Complicating issues, Duke star freshman Paolo Banchero was a passenger within the automobile and was cited for aiding and abetting DWI. However whereas Savarino was suspended, Banchero was not held out of any recreation motion, as Krzyzewski defined “it is two totally different conditions.”

“Headlines may make it appear to be it is the identical,” he stated. “It is not. I feel the selections we made are along side our authorities, my superiors.”

West Level flashback

Duke performed host to Military West Level on Nov. 12 in its residence opener as a part of the Duke Veterans Day Weekend Showcase. The Blue Devils received 82-56, however the recreation carried particular significance as a result of Military is the place Krzyzewski each performed and first served as a head coach. Between his 4 years as a scholar at Military and 5 because the coach, Krzyzewski spent almost a decade of his younger grownup life in West Level. Military explored his historical past with this system in a particular tribute video launched earlier than the sport.

Backyard occasion

Krzyzewski’s ultimate season started on an enormous stage, with the Blue Devils beating Kentucky at Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 9 within the Champions Basic. The venue is one among Krzyzewski’s favorites, and it supplied a parting present to the legendary coach. Krzyzewski is now 34-11 all-time at Madison Sq. Backyard, and that document will stay unchanged except the Blue Devils find yourself enjoying within the NIT, which might be nothing in need of a catastrophe.

Extra on Coach Okay’s ultimate season