Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Duke
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Opening Statement:
“I am proud of my team. This was such an incredible environment and the support that the fans not only gave the team but, the support that they gave Jim (Boeheim), was great. It is such an emotional time because Jim has created a program here and a family and so going through this situation, the whole family goes through it and I could feel it. It felt so good for him, that the outpouring of emotion was so good. He is my dear friend and I was able to spend a few minutes with him before the game. He looked strong, and I am glad he coached, that is what he does.
“The honoring of the family and the moment of silence – everything was beautiful. In that environment, I was not sure if our guys could handle all that and they did.
"RJ (Barrett) was spectacular, our defense was outstanding, and we were tough. We did a couple changes and started jabbing and how we attacked the zone with Alex (O’Connell). All those things are neat on paper, but Alex made it happen and his teammates had confidence in him. I thought the two biggest plays of the game were that flurry when Javin (DeLaurier) got three offensive rebounds and kicked it out to Alex, and he got a 4-point play. When it got really tight at the end of the shot clock, RJ hit the three and we were poised, we hit all our free-throws.
“I am proud of my team because we beat a really good team and in an incredible environment – not a hostile environment. It was such a sincere, showing of emotion. It was really beautiful. I commend the Syracuse community and the fans for doing it in that way.”
How do you think your team adjusted to a game without Zion Williamson?
“Well, it is not just adjusting without Zion, the last 48 hours, everybody has opinions about everything. It is not just playing, its amateurism. Thursday for me, was one of the toughest 24 hours I have had as a coach at Duke. One, getting over the psychological stuff that happened to our team. We were not back. I met with almost every one of my guys individually. The three freshmen, together and just asking them ‘how did they feel’ and ‘how do they feel now’ and while trying to handle whatever else was happening. Thank goodness I have a great team around me – my support people. I asked my team, ‘we just went through hell these last 24 hours’, and I could depend on everybody. We need to be that team, where you can depend on everybody, and they were. I am really proud of my team.”
For you, Jim Boeheim is your friend. Did it feel any differently today, once that beginning moment was over?
“I think both of us are professional. There are a couple thousand wins there, and some gold medals, so we’re pros, and I think once the game started, it’s the game.”
Syracuse vs. Duke
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Opening Statement:
“I am proud of my team. This was such an incredible environment and the support that the fans not only gave the team but, the support that they gave Jim (Boeheim), was great. It is such an emotional time because Jim has created a program here and a family and so going through this situation, the whole family goes through it and I could feel it. It felt so good for him, that the outpouring of emotion was so good. He is my dear friend and I was able to spend a few minutes with him before the game. He looked strong, and I am glad he coached, that is what he does.
“The honoring of the family and the moment of silence – everything was beautiful. In that environment, I was not sure if our guys could handle all that and they did.
"RJ (Barrett) was spectacular, our defense was outstanding, and we were tough. We did a couple changes and started jabbing and how we attacked the zone with Alex (O’Connell). All those things are neat on paper, but Alex made it happen and his teammates had confidence in him. I thought the two biggest plays of the game were that flurry when Javin (DeLaurier) got three offensive rebounds and kicked it out to Alex, and he got a 4-point play. When it got really tight at the end of the shot clock, RJ hit the three and we were poised, we hit all our free-throws.
“I am proud of my team because we beat a really good team and in an incredible environment – not a hostile environment. It was such a sincere, showing of emotion. It was really beautiful. I commend the Syracuse community and the fans for doing it in that way.”
How do you think your team adjusted to a game without Zion Williamson?
“Well, it is not just adjusting without Zion, the last 48 hours, everybody has opinions about everything. It is not just playing, its amateurism. Thursday for me, was one of the toughest 24 hours I have had as a coach at Duke. One, getting over the psychological stuff that happened to our team. We were not back. I met with almost every one of my guys individually. The three freshmen, together and just asking them ‘how did they feel’ and ‘how do they feel now’ and while trying to handle whatever else was happening. Thank goodness I have a great team around me – my support people. I asked my team, ‘we just went through hell these last 24 hours’, and I could depend on everybody. We need to be that team, where you can depend on everybody, and they were. I am really proud of my team.”
For you, Jim Boeheim is your friend. Did it feel any differently today, once that beginning moment was over?
“I think both of us are professional. There are a couple thousand wins there, and some gold medals, so we’re pros, and I think once the game started, it’s the game.”
