Duke basketball: Mike Krzyzewski departs Durham for final time

Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has left Durham for the final time. 

The emotional week for the Duke basketball program is underway as the team has left Durham for the final time.

More specifically, Mike Krzyzewski has conducted his final practice in Durham as the leader of the Blue Devils.

Duke arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday night in preparation for Saturday’s ultimate Final Four showdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The Blue Devils toppled Cal State Fullerton, Michigan State, Texas Tech, and Arkansas en route to the national semifinals, the 13th Final Four appearance under Mike Krzyzewski.

“We had excellent energy, and we have already started our preparation for North Carolina,” Coach K said prior to the team’s departure from Durham.

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Duke and the Tar Heels split the regular-season series, with the Blue Devils running North Carolina off the floor in the Dean E. Smith Center but North Carolina spoiling the festivities of Mike Krzyzewski’s final game inside Cameron Indoor Stadium in the regular-season finale.

“The enthusiasm is excellent, and we are healthy.”

The Blue Devils are coming off four games in nine days to advance to the Final Four in addition to a cross country trip.

Duke basketball already getting accustomed to New Orleans

After arriving in the Big Easy on Tuesday night, Duke practiced inside the facility of the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday afternoon before getting a tour of the New Orleans Saints facility later in the day.

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The Blue Devils were the first of the four teams to arrive in Louisiana. North Carolina, Kansas, and Villanova are slated to arrive in New Orleans at various points of the day on Wednesday.

Tipoff between Duke and North Carolina is scheduled for approximately 8:49 p.m. EST on Saturday night from the Caesar’s Superdome on TBS.