Duke basketball: Did Coach K just push back retirement?

The latest Duke basketball press conference included an announcement that could equate to at least an extra year to a legendary coaching career.

On Wednesday night, during his first live-game action in a Duke basketball jersey, Michael Savarino provided grandfather/coach Mike Krzyzewski with a forever moment from inside Cameron Indoor Stadium — the very environment that in some ways has helped mold the now-freshman walk-on guard for the past 18 years.

And at the tail end of Krzyzewski’s statements to the media following No. 4 Duke’s 126-57 thrashing of Division II opponent Fort Valley State — the final tune-up before tipping off the regular season against No. 3 Kansas on Tuesday — the proud “Poppy” expressed his emotions regarding Savarino’s two points, one assist, one rebound, and overall composure across five minutes of mop-up duty.

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"“It’s a cool moment,” said the five-time national champion who is in his 40th year on the Duke basketball throne. “[He and fellow freshman walk-on Keenan Worthington] played like they knew how to play, which they do, so that was neat…“I’m glad [Savarino] hit free throws, but I thought the best thing he did was the pass he made to Joey [Baker for a 3-pointer] and just his demeanor.”"

What the college game’s all-time wins leader (1,132) said next, though, could be a sign of his extended tenure. Is what’s about to come here in this article purely speculation? Absolutely. But does Duke basketball hope spring eternal? You know it…

"“We’re going to look at not playing [Michael] and Keenan during the year to redshirt them,” Coach K revealed, “so that we get a chance to have them develop and see what happens a little bit later during their time at Duke.”"

This must mean the 72-year-old, who will be 73 by season’s end, can hold off retirement until at least the age of 78 — rather than only 77 if Savarino was to only stick around four years — just so that he can soak up an entire “cool moment” collection from coaching his grandson, right? Yup, let’s go with that.

Plus, here’s another cool thought: Not only did Savarino look about as poised as all-time Duke sharpshooter J.J. Redick from the charity stripe on Wednesday night, but he also drained 91.2 percent of his foul shots (31-for-34) last season as a senior for Durham Academy, suggesting it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could offer up the coolest memory of all for Poppy by becoming the Blue Devils’ savior/hero one day down the road during a late-game scenario of the highest magnitude on the biggest stage.

ALSO READ: Where does J.J. Redick rank among the 100 greatest Blue Devils under Coach K?

And for anyone who chooses to dream Coach K will stay at the helm in Durham beyond his 80th birthday, consider the following:

Savarino’s mom, Debbie Savarino, is the eldest of three Krzyzewski children. The middle daughter, Lindy Frasher, has three sons younger than Savarino while the youngest daughter, Jamie Spatola, has one.

So it looks as if one day we’ll just have to start speculating which one will keep Coach K’s bloodline on the Duke bench by succeeding 90-year-old Poppy as Duke’s next head coach come the year 2037. Sounds like a plan all Duke basketball fans could live with, right?

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more updates, analyses, opinions, and predictions — and, of course, loads of speculation — regarding all things Duke basketball.