Coach K reveals his true feelings about Duke's March Madness chances
· Yahoo Sports
Coach K reveals his true feelings about Duke's March Madness chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski believes Duke remains well positioned to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. This comes as questions continue to swirl around the strength of the ACC in a packed field of 68.
Visit amunra-online.pl for more information.
Krzyzewski led Duke to five national championships during his storied career and says the Blue Devils are ready to compete for another title as they enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East Region.
“Duke has a hell of a chance — especially if they get their two injured guys back," Coach K told Pat McAfee.
"Duke has a hell of a chance to win this thing..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 16, 2026
Especially if we get our injured guys back"
Coach K #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/IER0ov72jW
Duke (32-2) opens tournament play Thursday against 16-seed Siena in Greenville, South Carolina. The winner will advance to face either No. 8 Ohio State or No. 9 TCU in the second round. This is shaping up to be a major year with the Blue Devils looking to snap an 11-year championship drought.
Krzyzewski believes the overall balance in this year’s bracket is outstanding, noting that many of the tournament’s top teams come from outside the ACC. Out of the 16 teams seeded in the top four, nine represent the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences, respectively.
“They’ve spread those teams across the four regions,” Krzyzewski said. “That’s what makes the tournament special. It creates matchups that you normally wouldn’t see.”
More: Why Percy Miller is ready for a major college basketball head coach or GM role
Duke’s combination of talent, momentum and tournament experience gives the Blue Devils a legitimate path back to the Final Four. They enter March Madness fresh off an ACC Tournament championship under fourth-year coach Jon Scheyer. The title marked Scheyer’s third ACC tournament crown in his first four seasons.
The Blue Devils’ path could eventually include potential matchups with power programs such as UConn, Kansas and Michigan State in a loaded East Region. But if Krzyzewski is right, Duke may once again find itself playing deep into March.
More college basketball news:
- Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
- AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
- John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
- March Madness upset predictions for 2026 NCAA men’s basketball bracket
- Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards