Syracuse fans were alive with the kind of possibilities that led to March Madness, and it looked like the entire Barclays Center was working hard on Duke. Mike Krzyzewski and his players had an underlying excuse on Saturday that should never have been portrayed as a shock defeat to North Carolina, and not the immense pressure that shaped Coach K's last game at home. Gave.
But what was the Duke's excuse in Brooklyn five days later? It wasn't Cameron Indoor Stadium, the world wasn't watching this ACC tournament quarterfinal, Orange rivals weren't the Tar Heels, and Jim Boehm wasn't fielding anything better than a .500 team that was missing two of the best players - his Injured center Jesse Edwards and his suspended son Buddy.
A loss in these circumstances would have disastrous consequences. No, Duke wouldn't have entered the NCAA Tournament next week with any degree of confidence that UCLA was destined to send Krzyzewski out on the road to John Wooden with one last national title.
So the Blue Devils go deep down and restore order to their shaken world. With three minutes left to play, four different Duke players (Wendell Moore Jr., Paolo Banchero, Jeremy Roach and Mark Williams) scored the final 10 points of the game, and the fifth, Trevor Keels, scored two in that closing run. provided assistance. — Filling the void left by Archbishop Stepinac's new star, AJ Griffin, has been limited to three field-round attempts due to an apparent case of food poisoning.
As it turned out, Krzyzewski and assistant Chris Caravelle were also among the Blue Devils who spent some preparation time fighting food poisoning, or some sort of bug, and throwing up in the bathroom between film study and practice. But after 47 years as Division I coach, 42 of them in Durham, Coach Kay has a good time when it comes to competitive sports: If you're healthy enough to show up and compete, all excuses are checked at the door.
The Duke didn't need anyone in the end. Roach decided the game with 19 points off the bench, and the Blue Devils finally defended enough to stop the Fighting Bohemes, Jim and Jimmy, who were furious that the Florida State player was punched in the stomach. There was great discipline for him. T implemented in that game.
Father Jim responded with verbal attacks at the conference and on Wednesday's caretaker team ("He didn't do his job," he said, "so Buddy was punished"). Big brother Jimmy, a Cornell transfer, responded with 28 high-key points. (“I was playing for this kid today,” he said, with the younger brother sitting to his immediate left.) And an emotional Buddy responded with a master class on how to end a decorated college career. To show as much grace and accountability as can be expected of a 22 year old.
"It's the best season I've ever had," Jim Boehm said of his 16-17 season, about his first losing year after 45 consecutive wins.
Boehm's best friend, Mike Krzyzewski, still has a chance to make this final season his best ever. Maybe not a good chance, but a chance nonetheless. And in the final few minutes of Thursday, when each Blue Devil threw a punch in a knockout to Cuse, that might have explained why Duke could reduce that epic-feeling loss to North Carolina to a footnote by the end of the season. Is.
Coach Kay's players tried to play for Coach Kay at that farewell game in Cameroon, and they all got a nationally televised scolding before a ceremony that turned a little bizarre. The Blue Devils can't play for him after season one - the burden is too great for college students, especially freshmen. They need to play for each other for many reasons.
For one, Krzyzewski has already won five national championships.
"I think that's enough," Boehm said. "I don't think he's worried about winning another."
Krzyzewski's legacy would live on without Number 6.
For two, given the almost certain NBA departures of at least four Blue Devils, this Dukes team is facing another one shot. This is also the last chance for the players. This journey will bind them for life, and they need to understand that the forever brotherhood the Duke talks about is stronger than a championship ring - a truth that has been confirmed by many former players. So the motivation to win it all should start from there.
"It's huge," Williams said of that inspiration.
"That's the most," Krzyzewski interjected.
"It's the most," Williams repeated. "Obviously we won't be getting this squad of 14 back," Williams continued, "and we have a chance to [win it], and it can be snatched up in a game. ... here for us It is a big deal to win every match that is played outside.