Krzyzewski passes Knight to No. 1
Krzyzewski passes Knight to No. 1 - Coaches share the love after Duke beats Michigan State for 903rd victory. As Mike Krzyzewski neared victory No. 903, the total number of discussions regarding his monumental march towards the all-time wins mark grew astronomically. Basketball gods shine down on Coach K. Questions about the milestone crept into conversation last March as Duke advanced to the Sweet 16 before being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by the Arizona Wildcats.
Prior to the loss, media types and fans of the Blue Devils and college basketball in general quietly talked about the storybook possibilities of 903 coming alongside a national title.
For Krzyzewski, breaking the record in that fashion would have been the ultimate way in which to do it, simply because at that point the number of victories would be a side story to the national title.
"I wanted to get done with it last March and April because it would have been under the radar," Krzyzewski said on Monday. "March Madness, that would have been the best time, plus it would have meant we would have advanced which would have been the best."
When it didn't happen, inevitably the prognosticators took a close look at the schedule for the 2011-12 season and immediately realized Krzyzewski could break Bob Knight, his former coach and longtime mentor's record at Madison Square Garden against Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans.
The only way the scenario could have been better for Krzyzewski would have been for an opportunity to win the record-setting game at Cameron Indoor Stadium over archrival North Carolina.
With that storyline never even a real possibility, getting the victory in the hallowed grounds of MSG and with Knight present was about as perfect as it could get.
Leading up to the contest, Krzyzewski clearly preferred to keep discussions about his journey towards the milestone at a minimum and regularly diverted his comments towards the team, and accomplishing new heights with the current group of Blue Devils.
Krzyzewski even downplayed the importance of having Knight in attendance for when he did break the record. Though he acknowledged at the time Knight's presence would undoubtedly hold meaning to him, the hall of fame coach talked about the win as just another in the many he has experienced over the years.
Towards the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, the two coaches participated in multiple interviews together discussing the record, and their feelings toward the pending accomplishment.
At the time, Krzyzewski believed those conversations were meaningful enough that Knight did not need to be on hand for the moment in which the record fell.
"We did some really in-depth interviews together," he said in mid-October. "It was great because instead of him being asked something in Texas and me being asked something in North Carolina, we were together.
"It was a good way of sharing - I understood his feelings about it and he understood mine and they were what I would hope his feelings to be and I would hope mine were what he wanted my feelings to be for him.
"Whether he is there or not, I don't think that's important," he said at the time. "We know where we're at. He doesn't have to make a special trip..."
Though Krzyzewski was content to let his past conversations serve as their moment shared in regards to the milestone, having his mentor present for the accomplishment did hold some significance for him.
As luck had it, Krzyzewski's opportunity to move past Knight came at a time when The General was scheduled to serve as a television analyst for the national broadcast of Duke's battle with Michigan State.
While the scheduling and placement of Knight at Duke's game was certainly by no accident, the Blue Devils' leader was quick to point out his appreciation for Knight's presence on the sideline.
"I want to thank the basketball gods for allowing Coach [Knight] to be here, you know, for this moment," he said. "To have the two of us together because you don't know this would happen. That was really a good thing for the two of us to be together tonight."
Immediately following Duke's 74-69 victory, Krzyzewski made his way to the broadcast table and embraced Knight for a moment that will surely last in his mind forever.
The two spoke briefly as photographers and television cameras surrounded them from all sides. Despite the onslaught of attention, the moment still maintained a personal and touching ambience.
"Well I just told him, I said, 'Coach, I'm not sure people tell you this, but I love you and I love what you've done for me, and thank you.' And he says, 'Boy, you've done pretty good for a kid who couldn't shoot.' I think that meant he loves me too. I'm going to take it as that."
Now that Krzyzewski has full control of the all-time win record, he looks forward to being able to focus solely on his team and no longer have to entertain questions about moving past his former coach.
Though Krzyzewski has graciously answered every inquiry sent in his direction about the record, he has made it clear he wants the attention to be put on his team, and its development.
"We're pleased with the win and we're pleased with the fact that we can get on with the season," he said.
"To me it's more of a relief to get on to the next thing."
via: rivals
Prior to the loss, media types and fans of the Blue Devils and college basketball in general quietly talked about the storybook possibilities of 903 coming alongside a national title.
For Krzyzewski, breaking the record in that fashion would have been the ultimate way in which to do it, simply because at that point the number of victories would be a side story to the national title.
"I wanted to get done with it last March and April because it would have been under the radar," Krzyzewski said on Monday. "March Madness, that would have been the best time, plus it would have meant we would have advanced which would have been the best."
When it didn't happen, inevitably the prognosticators took a close look at the schedule for the 2011-12 season and immediately realized Krzyzewski could break Bob Knight, his former coach and longtime mentor's record at Madison Square Garden against Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans.
The only way the scenario could have been better for Krzyzewski would have been for an opportunity to win the record-setting game at Cameron Indoor Stadium over archrival North Carolina.
With that storyline never even a real possibility, getting the victory in the hallowed grounds of MSG and with Knight present was about as perfect as it could get.
Leading up to the contest, Krzyzewski clearly preferred to keep discussions about his journey towards the milestone at a minimum and regularly diverted his comments towards the team, and accomplishing new heights with the current group of Blue Devils.
Krzyzewski even downplayed the importance of having Knight in attendance for when he did break the record. Though he acknowledged at the time Knight's presence would undoubtedly hold meaning to him, the hall of fame coach talked about the win as just another in the many he has experienced over the years.
Towards the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, the two coaches participated in multiple interviews together discussing the record, and their feelings toward the pending accomplishment.
At the time, Krzyzewski believed those conversations were meaningful enough that Knight did not need to be on hand for the moment in which the record fell.
"We did some really in-depth interviews together," he said in mid-October. "It was great because instead of him being asked something in Texas and me being asked something in North Carolina, we were together.
"It was a good way of sharing - I understood his feelings about it and he understood mine and they were what I would hope his feelings to be and I would hope mine were what he wanted my feelings to be for him.
"Whether he is there or not, I don't think that's important," he said at the time. "We know where we're at. He doesn't have to make a special trip..."
Though Krzyzewski was content to let his past conversations serve as their moment shared in regards to the milestone, having his mentor present for the accomplishment did hold some significance for him.
As luck had it, Krzyzewski's opportunity to move past Knight came at a time when The General was scheduled to serve as a television analyst for the national broadcast of Duke's battle with Michigan State.
While the scheduling and placement of Knight at Duke's game was certainly by no accident, the Blue Devils' leader was quick to point out his appreciation for Knight's presence on the sideline.
"I want to thank the basketball gods for allowing Coach [Knight] to be here, you know, for this moment," he said. "To have the two of us together because you don't know this would happen. That was really a good thing for the two of us to be together tonight."
Immediately following Duke's 74-69 victory, Krzyzewski made his way to the broadcast table and embraced Knight for a moment that will surely last in his mind forever.
The two spoke briefly as photographers and television cameras surrounded them from all sides. Despite the onslaught of attention, the moment still maintained a personal and touching ambience.
"Well I just told him, I said, 'Coach, I'm not sure people tell you this, but I love you and I love what you've done for me, and thank you.' And he says, 'Boy, you've done pretty good for a kid who couldn't shoot.' I think that meant he loves me too. I'm going to take it as that."
Now that Krzyzewski has full control of the all-time win record, he looks forward to being able to focus solely on his team and no longer have to entertain questions about moving past his former coach.
Though Krzyzewski has graciously answered every inquiry sent in his direction about the record, he has made it clear he wants the attention to be put on his team, and its development.
"We're pleased with the win and we're pleased with the fact that we can get on with the season," he said.
"To me it's more of a relief to get on to the next thing."
via: rivals
