One loss answered what’s been bugging Duke basketball.
Remember, we’re talking about college kids. We’re talking about them dribbling, passing, and shooting a bouncy ball. We’re talking about a game, a sport. And sports are fun. At least, they’d better be; otherwise, one ends up looking like Duke basketball chief Mike Krzyzewski from Tuesday night.
Too stiff. Too serious. Too safe. Too self-conscious. Too sedentary. Too gloomy. Stick in the mud. He’s not the same Coach K who won five national championships. No, he’s older — now 72 — but with potential to be even better than ever and snip some more April nets before calling it quits.
Surely, Krzyzewski is now a little wiser than the spry guy from years back who rarely sat down during close contests — much in the same manner as the passionate fella who just outcoached him on Coach K Court, handing him his first home loss to a non-conference foe since some folks were still taking a deep breath from the Y2K scare.
Speaking of relaxing and leaving joy-killing worries in the past, yes, the college game’s all-time wins leader will likely soon lighten up a bit and discover on his own all five of the reasons here to overhaul his demeanor — if he hasn’t already. Plus, he’ll do so without needing a fan sitting behind a keyboard spelling out what needs fixing.
However, with this being a site for news and views regarding all things Duke basketball, this know-it-all writer must explain the apparent problem with Coach K that led to his No. 1 — until Monday — Blue Devils losing in overtime, 85-83, on a fastbreak buzzer-beater layup to Stephen F. Austin. The issue is not new, though. Rather, it’s been festering a few years now.
Here are five reasons Coach K needs to smile more and agonize less, pronto…