Duke's Mike Krzyzewski Feeling Better After Getting IVs for Illness vs. Wake Forest
Feb 17, 2022
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Krzyzewski did not return to the team bench after halftime and associate head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils took over in the second half. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski says he is feeling "better" after leaving the bench at halftime of the Blue Devils' win over Wake Forest with an illness.
The 75-year-old told SiriusXM on Thursday:
"I'm better. We went through a very taxing part of our season, with four games in eight days, late travel. I still prepare the same way. That day, for Wake, I wasn't feeling that good. During the game, during the first half, I got lightheaded on the bench. I called Jon Scheyer and Chris Carrawell over and I said, 'Look, I'm not feeling great. You guys do more. Just don't hold back.'
Then I started feeling a little bit better during the half. Then, as I'm walking off the court at halftime ... I really thought I could pass out. I got to the locker room and my medical people gave me IVs and whatever. I'm better. I think you get exhausted. I don't know if it was my way of celebrating my 75th birthday and saying, 'Knucklehead, you are 75. You better do something a little bit different.' I'm better, and I'm glad it was that and not something else."
Coach K gives a health update after leaving Tuesday night’s game versus Wake Forest.
Scheyer took over in the second half for Krzyzewski, leading the Devils to a narrow 76-74 home victory. The associate coach is set to take over for Krzyzewski once he retires following the 2021-22 season.
Duke is set to return to the floor Saturday against Florida State. Krzyzewski is expected back at his normal spot on the bench leading the nation's ninth-ranked team. He previously missed a game against Wake Forest earlier this season with a non-COVID illness.
Mike Krzyzewski Exits Duke vs. Wake Forest Early; Jon Scheyer Takes Over as HC
Feb 16, 2022
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, center, leaves the court following an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski was forced to exit Tuesday's game against Wake Forest because he's "not feeling well," the school announced.
Aaron Beard of the Associated Press reported that Krzyzewski "appeared to be dealing with some type of issue midway through the first half" and he was evaluated by a trainer during a timeout. Associate head coach Jon Scheyer will take over for the rest of the game.
Basketball analyst Jordan Schultz stated he was informed that Krzyzewski is "okay, just feeling 'lightheaded.'"
Krzyzewski was also forced to miss the Blue Devils' first game against Wake Forest earlier this season for what was described as a non-COVID-19 illness. Scheyer also served as acting head coach in that game, which Duke won 76-64.
A legendary head coach of the Blue Devils for the past 42 years, Krzyzewski announced in June that he will be retiring after the 2021-22 season, and he named Scheyer as his successor.
Krzyzewski is the winningest coach in men's college basketball history, and he has led Duke to 12 Final Fours and five national championships. He was inducted into both the Basketball Hall of Fame (2001) and College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006). The Blue Devils had a 21-4 record entering Tuesday's game against Wake Forest and are ranked No. 9 in the nation.
The 34-year-old Scheyer has been an assistant under Krzyzewski since 2013. A former guard for the Blue Devils from 2006 to 2010, Scheyer was promoted to associate head coach in 2018.
In an excerpt of Ian O'Connor's book Coach K: The Rise and Reign of Mike Krzyzewski released Tuesday (h/t Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post), Krzyzewski put a stop to plans that would have made Tommy Amaker his successor. O'Connor stated that Krzyzewski picked Scheyer because he "believed he would maintain more control over the program," even in retirement.
Report: Mike Krzyzewski Nixed Plan for Tommy Amaker to Replace Him as Duke HC
Feb 15, 2022
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 31: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 1, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski nixed a plan that would have made Tommy Amaker his successor.
In his new book Coach K: The Rise and Reign of Mike Krzyzewski (h/t Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post), Ian O’Connor wrote that Krzyzewski talked Amaker out of accepting an offer from the Blue Devils in order for current assistant Jon Scheyer to take over for him after the 2021-22 season.
According to O'Connor, Krzyzewski wanted Scheyer as head coach because he "believed he would maintain more control over the program" in his retirement.
“He can be Don Corleone when he needs to be," one Duke insider told O'Connor.
The discussion between Krzyzewski and Amaker took place on a Zoom call last year, with Coach K telling him if he came back to Duke for the 2021-22 season as an assistant before taking over next year, it would "create an awkward dynamic with Scheyer" and force another assistant already with the program to be demoted.
One source close to Amaker told O'Connor that the Harvard head coach was "heartbroken" after that call.
Amaker played point guard for Krzyzewski at Duke from 1983 to 1987. He helped the Blue Devils reach the national championship game in the 1986 NCAA tournament and was named NABC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 1986-87.
After graduating from college, Amaker joined the Blue Devils' coaching staff as an assistant in 1988 and remained through 1997. The 56-year-old left the program to become head coach at Seton Hall in 1997.
Amaker has since gone on to be the head coach at Michigan (2001-07) and Harvard. He's in his 15th season with the Crimson, having led them to four appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Scheyer, 34, played for the Blue Devils from 2006 through 2010. He briefly had a professional playing career after graduating before being hired as an assistant by Krzyzewski in April 2013.
Duke promoted Scheyer to associate head coach in 2018 after Jeff Capel was hired as head coach at Pittsburgh. He was named the coach in waiting in June when Krzyzewski announced he would retire at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Krzyzewski is in his 42nd season with the Blue Devils. The 75-year-old has won five national titles, three Olympic gold medals as Team USA's head coach and has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2001) and College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006).
Clemson's David Collins Ejected for Flagrant Foul on Duke's Wendell Moore Jr.
Feb 11, 2022
ATLANTA, GA FEBRUARY 05: Clemson guard David Collins (13) reacts after being called for a foul during the ACC college basketball game between the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on February 5th, 2022 at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson guard David Collins was ejected from Thursday's game against Duke for a flagrant foul on Wendell Moore Jr. late in the first half.
Moore had stripped Collins and completed a breakaway dunk, but Collins undercut him while he was on the rim and caused him to land hard on the ground in a scary fall. Moore remained in the game after being evaluated.
David Collins was called for a flagrant 2 for this foul on Wendell Moore Jr.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was visibly incensed as he made his way onto the floor to check on Moore.
The No. 7 Blue Devils are looking to bounce back from Monday's upset loss to unranked Virginia.
Paolo Banchero, No. 7 Duke Upset by Unranked Virginia as Reece Beekman Hits GW Shot
Feb 8, 2022
Virginia guard Reece Beekman (2) drives to the hoop past Duke forward Joey Baker (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
The No. 7 Duke men's basketball team suffered a 69-68 upset loss to unranked Virginia on Monday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Virginia guard Reece Beekman drilled a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to push the Cavaliers in front. Duke star freshman Paolo Banchero had a last-gasp attempt, but it didn't connect.
Beekman, a sophomore, finished with seven points, three assists and two steals to help the Cavaliers improve to 15-9 and 9-5 in the ACC. The game-winner was just Virginia's second three-pointer in 12 attempts.
Senior forward Jayden Gardner poured in 17 points with eight rebounds to lead the Cavaliers. Sophomore forward Kadin Shedrick added a career-high 16 points off the bench on perfect 8-of-8 shooting.
The Cavaliers did a great job shutting down Banchero, limiting him to nine points on 3-of-9 shooting. It was the first time he was held under 10 points this season. He recorded a game-high nine rebounds with three assists and three blocks, but he also turned the ball over four times.
Duke's five-game winning streak ended, and it fell to 19-4 overall and 9-3 in conference play. Sophomore center Mark Williams led the Blue Devils with 16 points, and freshman guard Trevor Keels had 12 points, all in the second half.
Virginia will try to keep the momentum going Saturday when it hosts Georgia Tech. Duke will look to bounce back Thursday in a road matchup against Clemson.
No. 9 Duke Dominates UNC in Mike Krzyzewski's Final Road Game vs. Rival Tar Heels
Feb 6, 2022
North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) drives against Duke center Mark Williams (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Mike Krzyzewski was victorious in his final trip to Chapel Hill, as Duke earned a 87-67 win over North Carolina in the latest installment of their legendary rivalry.
The ninth-ranked Blue Devils have now won five games in a row after losing in overtime to Florida State on Jan. 18. The Tar Heels had a four-game winning streak of their own, but a loss to Duke sees UNC fall back to earth. Hubert Davis' squad is now 1-4 against ranked opponents.
Duke was up by 23 points at one point in the first half, but North Carolina clawed back and trailed by 11, 39-28, at halftime.
But four minutes into the second half, the Blue Devils built another 23-point lead. The Tar Heels were basically playing to avoid a blowout as they were outmanned and overmatched.
Notable Performers
AJ Griffin, F, Duke: 27 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal
Paolo Banchero, F, Duke: 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists
Brady Manek, F, North Carolina: 21 points, six rebounds
Armando Bacot, F, North Carolina: 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block
Griffin Too Much for UNC
Duke's dominance started with AJ Griffin. The 6'6" forward presented matchup problems throughout the night and provided a steady source of offense.
Given the stakes of any encounter between these two programs, Griffin wrote his name into Blue Devils lore on this performance alone.
This was also a great showcase for Griffin's potential at the next level. In his most recent 2022 NBA mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected him to go sixth overall to the New Orleans Pelicans.
A PTPER player in the eyes of the @NBA scouts that has made the biggest jump from the start to now is AJ GRIFFIN @whoisAG21 of @DukeMBB / also watching BRADY MANEK his range as a shooter makes his stock go up in the eyes of the NBA ppl.
Krzyzewski couldn't have crafted a better sendoff to Dean E. Smith Center. His players were zeroed in from the opening tip—quickly building a 19-5 lead with a little more than five minutes off the clock—and didn't let up much from there.
The Blue Devils relished the opportunity to pile on more misery in the second half.
Paolo Banchero gives the 'you're small' celebration against Leaky Black
Mark Williams gives the 'on your head' celebration on Brady Manek
ESPN's Joe Lunardi projected Duke as a No. 2 seed in the 2022 NCAA tournament, and the team looked every bit the part Saturday.
Manek Can't Do it All for Heels
Brady Manek was the single biggest reason this game wasn't a blowout in the first half.
Armando Bacot battled foul trouble, while Caleb Love was held scoreless. In addition to playing all 20 minutes of the first half, Manek's offensive consistency was critical toward keeping the Heels at least within striking distance.
Manek is 5-of-11, 4-of-7 from three. Everyone else on the team is 5-of-21, 0-of-7
By having to exert so much energy on offense, though, the senior forward might have left himself at a disadvantage on defense. Duke looked to switch Griffin onto Manek with high frequency, and the strategy is a big reason why Griffin was the game's leading scorer.
In general, it was clear early on the Heels wouldn't have much chance at an upset. They can't take down an opponent with as much talent as Duke has when Love is mired in such a brutal shooting funk.
I was really excited about some of the growth we’d seen in terms of poise and ball-screen comfort from Caleb Love early in the season. But he’s been kind of a mess since mid-January. Not counting today, he entered shooting 26% in his last six games, including 21% from 2-pt range.
All things considered, this isn't the most embarrassing loss North Carolina has suffered at the hands of its in-state rival. But it was a sobering display of how much work Davis has ahead.
What's Next?
Duke returns to Durham for a matchup with Virginia on Monday. North Carolina will head south to play Clemson on Tuesday night.
Report: Duke Men's CBB to Postpone Clemson, Notre Dame Games amid COVID-19 Issues
Dec 27, 2021
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils directs his team against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 22, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
The Duke men's basketball team postponed its game against Clemson and will reportedly also push a contest against Notre Dame amid COVID-19 concerns within the Blue Devils' program.
Duke confirmed the postponement of the Clemson game. Earlier Monday, Vashti Hurt of Carolina Blitz was first to break the news regarding Duke's plans to reschedule the Clemson and Notre Dame games.
Adam Rowe of 247Sports also break news of Duke's scheduling alterations due to COVID-19. ESPN's Jeff Borzello also reported that the Fighting Irish battle on Saturday will be postponed as well.
Rowe relayed more information on the Blue Devils' situation after the 11-1 team beat Virginia Tech on Wednesday:
The Blue Devils' players traveled home for the Christmas holiday after their game against Virginia Tech on Wednesday, returning to campus on Sunday night when they underwent rapid and PCR testing to confirm their status.
According to sources, numerous players tested positive upon returning and out of an abundance of caution the program decided to cancel Clemson's game on Wednesday and are meeting this morning to determine the best path forward to rescheduling or canceling that game as well as the game against Notre Dame scheduled for this Saturday.
Duke is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, trailing only undefeated defending national champion Baylor.
Borzello relayed the ACC's modified policy regarding postponed games due to COVID-19:
The ACC modified its rescheduling policy last week as a result of the rapidly spreading omicron variant. Games that are not able to played will be rescheduled, and if a new date cannot be found, the game will be considered a no contest. ACC teams must have a minimum of seven players and one coach in order to play.
Rowe also wrote that "first-tier players or staff must sit out 10 days after receiving a positive test result, which would mean the team's game against Notre Dame is in jeopardy."
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski previously told reporters that the entire Duke coaching staff got their booster shots and the team was planning to get theirs before February 1, per Rowe.
This isn't the first time Duke has seen scheduling alterations due to COVID-19, as Cleveland State and Loyola (Maryland) canceled their road games against Duke due to COVID-19 concerns within their respective programs, per Rowe.
With the news on the pair of reported ACC contest postponements coming early in the college basketball season, Duke at least has more time to potentially reschedule the games with the ACC regular season running through early March.
For now, Duke's next game is scheduled for Jan. 4 against Georgia Tech provided the Clemson and Notre Dame matchups are officially postponed.
No. 2 Duke Seeking Opponent After Loyola (MD) Game Canceled Due to COVID-19 Issues
Dec 17, 2021
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Appalachian State in Durham, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Duke University announced Friday that it is seeking a new men's basketball opponent for Saturday after its original opponent had to pull out of the game.
It was noted by Duke that Saturday's scheduled game against Loyola (MD) has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Loyola program.
Duke remains hopeful that a replacement opponent can be found and called for those with tickets for Saturday's game to "stand by."
The Blue Devils are the No. 2 team in the nation this season with a 9-1 record. Their only loss was a 71-66 defeat at the hands of Ohio State, and they own victories over then-No. 10 Kentucky and then-No. 1 Gonzaga.
There is a sense of urgency for Duke to win a national championship this season since legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski is set to retire at the end of the campaign and hand the program over to Jon Scheyer.
Duke figures to remain among the top title contenders throughout the season thanks to the combination of junior forward Wendell Moore Jr. and freshman forward Paolo Banchero, who are both averaging over 17 points per game.
The game against Loyola (MD) had been scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
While the Greyhounds are 6-5 this season and have won five of their past six games, they would have been huge underdogs on the road against Duke.
It is unclear which teams may be candidates to replace Loyola on Saturday, but if no replacement can be found, Duke's next scheduled game is Wednesday against ACC foe Virginia Tech.
No. 2 Duke vs. Cleveland State Canceled Because of CSU's COVID-19 Pause
Dec 15, 2021
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 15: A Duke Blue Devils basketball with the logo before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Saturday's men's basketball game between No. 2 Duke and Cleveland State has been canceled.
Per an announcement from the Blue Devils, Cleveland State has announced a COVID-related pause in the basketball program.
The announcement also noted Duke is "actively pursuing" a potential replacement opponent for Saturday.
Cleveland State athletic director Scott Garrett issued a statement about the status of the basketball team:
Throughout the pandemic we have prioritized the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff while training and competing. Coach Gates and the team have been extremely diligent in adhering to our protocols as well as deploying other proactive risk mitigation strategies. After consultation with our training staff and the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Center, we are pausing team activity and will reassess in 10 days. While we are disappointed, it is clear that this is the responsible course of action.
In addition to Saturday's game against Duke, the Vikings have also canceled their Dec. 21 game against Kent State.
Cleveland State isn't scheduled to play again until Dec. 30 against IUPUI at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in the Horizon League opener for both teams.
Duke is still scheduled to host Appalachian State on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. If the Blue Devils are unable to find a new opponent for Saturday, they won't play again until Virginia Tech comes to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 22 in the ACC opener for both programs.
5-Star SF Prospect Mark Mitchell Commits to Duke over UCLA, Missouri
Dec 10, 2021
Mark Mitchell is headed to Duke after the 5-star prospect announced his commitment Friday.
According to Joe Tipton of On3 Recruits, Mitchell said he committed to Duke because of his relationship with Jon Scheyer, who is the Blue Devils' associate head coach and will take over as head coach next season after Mike Krzyzewski retires.
Mitchell is the No. 15 overall player and No. 4 small forward in the 2022 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite ratings.
Duke beat out several high-profile programs to land the Wichita, Kansas, native, including UCLA and Missouri, who were both high on his list. Other schools to offer Mitchell a scholarship included Kansas and North Carolina.
At 6'8", 205 pounds, Mitchell has excellent size for his position at all levels, with the ability to dominate smaller forwards across college. His athleticism and long arms should especially help him inside, where he can finish above the rim with regularity.
The physical tools can also help Mitchell on the defensive end, where he should be able to match up with players at a variety of positions.
"Mark is an extremely gifted versatile basketball player," Sunrise Christian head coach Luke Barnwell said of the prospect, per Jacob Polacheck of ZagsBlog. "He will have the ability to affect the game every possession."
Mitchell gained the attention of many of the top programs across college basketball, eventually taking official visits to Duke, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Missouri and UCLA.
The young recruit still has room to improve, including more consistency with his handle and his outside shot, but he has the talent to make an immediate impact with his new team. Look for him to get playing time early freshman year and become a difference-maker on both ends of the court.
Mitchell should help Scheyer get his Duke tenure off to a great start as the program tries to remain a national title contender.
