DURHAM, N.C. — Mike Krzyzewski knew he could not script the ending to his storied profession, however nonetheless this one stung.
In what was imagined to be a celebration of Krzyzewski’s 42 years of teaching at Duke, his remaining dwelling recreation resulted in a 94-81 loss Saturday to rival North Carolina.
So earlier than the postgame celebration might formally start, Krzyzewski walked to a microphone at midcourt and provided an impromptu message to the group, a few of whom had paid upward of $10,000 on Vivid Seats to attend the farewell at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
“I am sorry about this afternoon,” Krzyzewski stated.
The group roared, and he requested for quiet.
“At the moment was unacceptable,” he stated, “however the season has been very acceptable. And the season is not over, alright?”
Certainly, this wasn’t the ultimate chapter of Krzyzewski’s tenure at Duke. The Blue Devils gained the ACC regular-season title for the primary time since 2006 — a reality Krzyzewski famous as he pointed to the myriad banners hanging from the roof at Cameron — and the group routinely chanted its hopes for a sixth nationwide title.
𝔅𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔬𝔬𝔡 rolling DEEP as we speak for The Goat!!!!!
💙🐐💙🐐💙🐐💙🐐💙🐐💙🐐 #CoachK pic.twitter.com/5MFT2sz3tc
— Duke Males’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 5, 2022
However for all of the magic Krzyzewski has conjured on this constructing over time, the ultimate trick was a disappearing act by the Blue Devils’ protection. Duke led by as a lot as 9, however all through a rollicking second half the unit wore down, trying listless throughout a stretch run that noticed North Carolina rating on 11 of its remaining 13 possessions.
4 Tar Heels completed with 20 factors or extra.
The ending hardly matched the raucous opening to the festivities.
Practically 100 former gamers, together with Duke legends Grant Hill, Jason Williams, Shane Battier and Christian Laettner, lined the courtroom to welcome Krzyzewski to the ground for the ultimate time.
Cameron would possibly as nicely have rolled out an official pink carpet for the affair.
Followers roared as comic Jerry Seinfeld and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, sitting subsequent to one another, waved on the video board. Sitcom stars Ken Jeong and Retta sat courtside alongside the baseline. Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, former Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and NFL Corridor of Fame receiver Terrell Owens had been in attendance, too.
Nevertheless it was much less the celebrities that stole the second than the group — a packed home greater than an hour earlier than tipoff, roaring with vitality — and the prolonged Duke household that stole the present for Krzyzewski.
The previous gamers shaped a tunnel main from one nook of the baseline to midcourt, and as Krzyzewski was introduced the group erupted. The 75-year-old, who coached his first recreation right here in November 1980, made his method by the phalanx of former gamers, tapping every on the chest, bumping fists or sharing a hug. Many held cellphones aloft, recording the second for posterity.
After Krzyzewski made his option to the top of the road, the group gathered at midcourt for a photograph of the household reunion.
As soon as the sport tipped off, nevertheless, it was enterprise as traditional for Krzyzewski. Perched in his regular seat close to the top of the bench, he watched stoically with arms crossed as UNC jumped out to an early lead, barked at officers routinely, then appeared to just accept the inevitable because the Tar Heels drained free throws within the remaining minutes to seal the win.
When it was over, the complete Duke group returned to the courtroom, taking seats within the chairs the place UNC gamers sat moments earlier than, and Krzyzewski emerged once more from the locker room, hand in hand along with his spouse, Mickie. He huddled along with his grandchildren, then walked to the mic to apologize.
The group accepted none of it. There was no room for apologies Saturday. Regardless of the rating, this remained a celebration, as Duke dignitaries reeled off a bunch of honors earlier than Krzyzewski once more took the mic.
“It is arduous for me to consider that is over,” he stated. “So I am simply going to say the common season’s over.”
Whether or not it was as a result of consequence or just his unwillingness to say goodbye, Krzyzewski was way more occupied with speaking concerning the future than the previous.
Above the Duke bench, these 96 former gamers watched — most sporting white T-shirts with a blue “Ok” emblazoned on the entrance — and Krzyzewski addressed them instantly as he ended his speech.
“We did not play nicely [today],” Krzyzewski stated. “And there have been occasions while you did not both.”
That was Krzyzewski massive applause line, and the world roared with laughter, the stress following the loss evaporating. However Krzyzewski wasn’t performed.
“We have to combat for you, combat for the brotherhood, and combat with all our would possibly by the rest of this season,” he stated. “Then I will be able to get the hell out of right here.”