The 8-seed North Carolina Tar Heels beat the 2-seed Duke Blue Devils 81-77 in the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four on Saturday night. A Final Four game featuring college basketball’s rivalry was sure to be intriguing regardless, but it really was an absolutely incredible game that featured 18 lead changes. North Carolina advances to the National Championship, where they’ll face Kansas on Monday night.
And with the Duke loss, it became the final game of Mike Krzyzewski’s amazing career.
North Carolina beats Duke to advance to the National Championship!
"And Coach K's legendary career has come to a close."- Jim Nantz pic.twitter.com/yfW5YpnNVs
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 3, 2022
The last seconds of Coach K’s career. pic.twitter.com/oTI2AHykBM
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 3, 2022
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 3, 2022
Krzyzewski spoke to TBS reporter Tracy Wolfson after the game.
"It's an emotional win, and it's an emotional loss."
Coach K reflects on his final Duke game at the #MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/mnlgIUFZLs
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2022
And here’s Krzyzewski’s final press conference:
What a run
Watch Coach K’s final press conference LIVE https://t.co/MzCjvwOo8U
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2022
Coach K has been the Duke head coach since 1980, and he led the Blue Devils to five national titles and 13 Final Fours. He also served as head coach for three gold medal-winning USA men’s basketball teams in the Olympics.
“I’m gonna miss him. … [and] what he’s done for Carolina basketball.”@TheJetOnTNT takes a moment to thank Coach K
#MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/uOArB8nImV — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2022
Duke assistant coach and former Blue Devils guard Jon Scheyer will take over as head coach.
The reaction to Coach K’s career-ending game has featured a lot of tributes, and also has featured some mocking. Here’s a sampling of how it looks on Twitter:
His resume is unmatched
What a career for Coach K #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Nc06qr0Epd
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2022
What a game. What a run. What a career.
Here's to Coach K
pic.twitter.com/3TWWXzZrBE — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 3, 2022
Basketball Greatness.
An iconic career. Thank you, Coach K
#USABfamily pic.twitter.com/nFAppdoaAa — USA Basketball (@usabasketball) April 3, 2022
UNC made sure to ruin Coach K’s story book ending. pic.twitter.com/cRfP93dRif
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 3, 2022
Coach K changed the course of Duke basketball.
Happy retirement! pic.twitter.com/lTZIyy2uFb
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 3, 2022
Coach K set up his @DukeMBB players for success after college with 68 of them being drafted to the NBA
pic.twitter.com/LTXYypZF8c — The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 3, 2022
I’ve known Mike Krzyzewski and his family for 34 years. He is a fierce competitor who never lost sight of what is really important in life. A molder of young men and a true example or what servant leadership is about. Thanks Coach K for all your contributions to this great game.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 3, 2022
The Coach K/Hubert Davis 0.03 second handshake was amazing.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 3, 2022
Coach K should come back for another year. It can’t end like this. It should end on a perfect note: another embarrassing loss, but next year.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 3, 2022
UNC spoiled it twice for Coach K. Sick
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) April 3, 2022
How Caleb Love looking at Coach K pic.twitter.com/xa70mSEG86
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 3, 2022
Coach K’s career ending with a loss to his archrival on the biggest stage possible — truly a hater's dream come true
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) April 3, 2022
North Carolina handed Coach K his first ever loss as Duke’s head coach back in 1980.
It also handed Coach K a loss in his final game at Cameron Indoor.
It also defeated Coach K in his final game as Duke’s head coach.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 3, 2022
two timeless icons of the Final Four: Coach K, and @MattNorlander's GUSTER IS FOR LOVERS laptop sticker pic.twitter.com/KtjEVtCNdF
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 3, 2022