Are the glory days of Duke’s Blue Devils behind them?
Read Time:1 Minute, 19 Second
If I had to argue who the best college basketball coach ever was I’d be hard pressed to argue against Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski. If my boy played basketball he’d be the one I’d want coaching him. He has high standards and Duke is a top flight university. Therein lies the rub, and why I think Duke’s days are numbered.
Watching Duke play Arizona the other night I was struck by how much athletes the Arizona players were. And as good as Duke’s players were, as well coached and prepared, over the course of a game the extra reach, speed and athletic ability is going to win out over less talent no matter how well it’s coached. A good big man always beats a good small man.
So who’s kidding who? When the coach of a basketball factory comes to call offering a one year training program for the NBA vs. a coach who’s demanding a B average, good behavior and commitment to more than just the basketball team, where are the better athletes with NBA aspirations going to go? It ain’t to Duke.
A player with NBA talent will be spending at most two years in college. I don’t blame them. Times are tough. Bodies are fragile. The teams that will be winning NCAA championships will be the ones with the most NBA talent. Of course Duke will always win it’s share of games and make it to the tournament. But instead of being regulars in the Final Four, the Sweet Sixteen is probably where Duke’s tournament runs will end from here on out.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
I wouldn’t be giving Duke’s eulogy yet. Coach K will come up with the right combo again and having them in the final four sometime in the near future.
Seeing as how I was born in Connecticut I have to go with them.
That’s the best thing about moving around when I was a kid. I can claim to be from everywhere. Kind of like the Bush Family.
My Great Grandfather Smith came from England Holte. I’m one of you.
You’re one of me Joe, no wonder I like you. As for Kansas, oops got that wrong (again), go Butler.
I love one loss and you’re out tournaments, part of the magic of the NCAA’s big dance. A loss doesn’t make you a bad team, a win against a ranked team doesn’t make you a world-beater either. Duke will be back with coach K., and without him. They are a team kids want to be a part of for many reasons.
The only team that can beat Kansas now is Kansas. The University of Kansas is my wife’s Alma Mater, so by default, mine too. Go Bluejays.
Didn’t you guys steal our Illini coach?
You play tough Collin.
As a KU grad I can sincerely say, emphatically, without reservation, nor civility, SCREW DUKE! If Duke never won another game, I’d be happy. Wait a second. I’m being hyperbolic. No, screw it, I’m not. ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK, K-U.