It seems the Duke basketball team is all but set to welcome back its chief.
On Thursday, during his “Basketball and Beyond with Coach K” SiriusXM show, Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski implied there is a high probability he will return to the bench in time for the home game versus Wake Forest (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at noon Saturday.
The 73-year-old Krzyzewski, in his 41st season at the helm in Durham, has been in quarantine the past several days after coming into contact on Dec. 30 with a family member who tested positive for COVID-19. In the Hall of Famer’s absence on Wednesday, associate head coach Jon Scheyer led No. 21 Duke (4-2, 2-0 ACC) to an 83-82 win at home over Boston College (2-8, 0-4 ACC).
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Awaiting official confirmation from the Duke basketball program
Apparently, as Coach K explained on his show, he should know his final status for the meeting with the Demon Deacons shortly after getting tested for COVID-19 six hours prior to tipoff:
“The plan is for me to go in at 6 a.m. and get tested. I will be isolated until they get the result. If they get a negative, then I’ll be able to coach the noon game. My wife and I, my family, get tested every day. Everything has been negative.”
Coach K also noted that he is proud of the way his staff responded to the situation. And even though he was not on hand to direct his squad against Boston College, he has watched all practices in addition to talking with both his players and assistants via Zoom calls.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on the Wake Forest game plus other Duke basketball news and views.