When you reflect and sulk over past results, it could deter your future accomplishments. Of course the regular season didn’t end as the 7th ranked Blue Devils planned – suffering a loss in the last home game of Coach K’s historic career, but the Blue Devils need to move on.
All that has been over the airways since Saturday defeat is that it was the worst loss at home in Duke’s history. “Coach K failed his team.” “What’s wrong with Duke?” “Is this player going to transfer, because he was not recognized on senior night?”
Take a look at where the noise is coming from. If Duke had the mindset of some of the naysayers, the national powerhouse would have folded decades ago. Moreover, to get this type of national response is just another indicator of how powerful the Duke basketball brand is.
This team just won the regular season ACC title – finishing number one in the conference and heading into the ACC tourney as the overall number one seed. In addition, Duke had a conference record of 16-4, the best mark of any team within the ACC. Prior to Saturday’s game, the team was on track to land a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The pressure could have impacted the players Saturday, but days removed from the contest Duke has to remain focused on the ultimate prize – “Win and Survive.” This is the motto they’ve played with all season, specifically on the road in the ACC with a 9-2 road record – blocking out the noise, playing together, and more importantly playing as one.
As Coach K mentioned after that game, the play from the team was unacceptable. You can bet your last dollar that Coach K and Duke will be playing with house money going forward and nothing to lose. The players’ goal since day one has been getting to the Final Four in New Orleans. That hasn’t changed.
Up Next for Duke is the winner between 8th seed Florida State and 9th seed Syracuse, who tipoff Wednesday at noon on ESPN.