Duke males’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski disenchanted his final dwelling recreation resulted in loss, however ‘the season is not over, all proper?’

DURHAM, N.C. — Mike Krzyzewski knew he could not script the ending to his storied profession, however nonetheless this one stung.

In what was purported to be a celebration of Krzyzewski’s 42 years of teaching at Duke, his ultimate dwelling recreation led to 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 gang, 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 gang roared, and he requested for quiet.

“Right now was unacceptable,” he stated, “however the season has been very acceptable. And the season is not over, all proper?”

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 gang routinely chanted its hopes for a sixth nationwide title.

𝔅𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔬𝔬𝔡 rolling DEEP in the present day 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 ultimate 13 possessions.

4 Tar Heels completed with 20 factors or extra.

The ending hardly matched the raucous opening to the festivities.

Almost 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 may as effectively 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 have been in attendance, too.

But it surely was much less the celebrities that stole the second than the gang — 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 fashioned a tunnel main from one nook of the baseline to midcourt, and as Krzyzewski was introduced the gang erupted. The 75-year-old, who coached his first recreation right here in November 1980, made his means 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, nonetheless, it was enterprise as standard 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 ultimate 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 gang 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 exhausting for me to imagine 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 end result or just his unwillingness to say goodbye, Krzyzewski was much more concerned with speaking concerning the future than the previous.

Above the Duke bench, these 96 former gamers watched — most carrying 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 effectively [today],” Krzyzewski stated. “And there have been occasions once you did not both.”

That was Krzyzewski’s massive applause line, and the sector roared with laughter, the stress following the loss evaporating. However Krzyzewski wasn’t completed.

“We have to combat for you, combat for the brotherhood, and combat with all our may by the rest of this season,” he stated. “Then I will be able to get the hell out of right here.”