Mike Krzyzewski has seen his Duke basketball program criticized a lot over the years, especially in the social-media era. The 73-year-old is used to the haters, and on Monday, he did something about it.
After beating N.C. State, 88-69, at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Krzyzewski called out his critics, saying, “You can question my coaching. . . . And when you do question it . . . just come into Cameron and look up in the ceiling and then find out if you should question that.”
Mic. Dropped.
Former college basketball coach and current CBS Sports college basketball analyst Pete Gillen, however, didn’t think this was a good look for Krzyzewski.
“Coach K, he’s won [five] national titles,” Gillen said on Tiki & Tierney. “I guess he’s trying to protect the players, but come on, Coach K. You’re above that. He’s one of the greatest coaches to ever live – arguably the greatest. I don’t think you have to get frustrated.”
No. 12 Duke had lost three of its previous four games before beating N.C. State. One of those losses came at Wake Forest in double overtime. Another came at Virginia by a deuce.
“I know they’ve lost a couple of games,” Gillen said. They’re [24-6]. I would have had a parade if I was [24-6].”
Duke, which last won the national title in 2015, has advanced to the Elite Eight in each of the last two seasons. Another deep tournament run could be on the horizon.
“I’d tell him to calm down,” Gillen said. “You’ve won [five] national titles. You’re the all-time winningest coach. I understand, protect your players, that’s admirable. But I don’t think you have to go in and go at the trolls and criticize them and [say], ‘Look at the banners I have up there.’ Calm down.”