“I know somebody will take what I’m saying and tonight and make it like I’m making excuses.”
Coach K said this would happen. He knew it. When you have the resume he has and built the program he has, jokes will fly and shots will be taken.
After the Blue Devils’ Tuesday night loss to 5th ranked Illinois, Krzyzewski was asked if he agrees with Pittsburgh Coach Jeff Capel’s comment that something doesn’t feel right about playing given the teams that have paused activities and the game cancellations that have occurred due to positive Covid-19 cases. K took over five minutes giving a very thoughtful and candid answer. He spent over five minutes giving the right answer.
Everything Coach K said was straight facts. He mentioned the lack of definitive leadership in college basketball. He talked about athletes not being able to go home for the holidays during a time when they need the reprieve the most. He mentioned speaking with Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes who has personally been affected by the virus. He suggested programs get regular updates about which teams have to pause due to cases and how many cases they have. He expressed that for the physical and mental health of the players, decision makers reassess how things are being handled.
“We’re just plowing through.”
One of the most influential names in college basketball said what needed to be said. He said what we are all thinking – something doesn’t feel right about college basketball’s handling of things. Unfortunately, fans and even coaches are completely glossing over the importance of what K is saying and using it as an opportunity to take shots.
When you’re on that level, the jokes will fly. I get it. But I K’s comments had nothing to do with his team’s record. Yes, Duke lost two non-conference games. They lost two non-conference games to 4th ranked Michigan State and 6th ranked Illinois. We aren’t talking about taking L’s to Gardner Webb and UMBC. Why would K want to mail in a season because his young team lost to two better and more experienced squads? He doesn’t. Krzyzewski never called for the cancellation of the season, he said there needs to be a reassessment of how things are handled and he’s absolutely right. What harm does postponing the season a couple of months as finalization and distribution of a vaccine occurs? Will the worst have to happen before decision makers reassess “plowing through”? I hope not and so does Coach K.