Universally beloved Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski moved into second place on the all-time NCAA men’s basketball wins list, as his Blue Devils defeated UNC-Greensboro 108-62 last night at the Greensboro Coliseum. The win is No. 880 of Coach K’s 35-year career, and he now sits 22 wins behind Bobby Knight, and also when he pees, according to every North Carolina Tar Heels fan.

The win is Duke’s 22nd in a row, as the No. 1 ranked Blue Devils had a nice eight days of rest before their grueling matchup with UNC-Greensboro last night. But while the win is nice and the ranking is great and team playing at its best despite injuries is exceptional, this moment is all about one man and his place in the history books. One man is bigger than the moment, and I think everyone would agree that we need to be showering praise upon Coach K. Take it away, Mikey…

Read the rest of this entry »

What’s that? Does college football “analyst” Dick Vitale have some sort of inherent bias for Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Mike Krzyzewski. This is news to me. I always thought of Dick Vitale as an unbiased journalist, just like I think of everyone else at ESPN. Any thoughts on that, Will Leitch?

Vitale returned from his throat surgery last night for the Duke-UNC game, and we were reminded once again how much we absolutely cannot stand him … Those who say Vitale is owed a considerable amount of credit for college basketball’s explosion over the last 15 years sound correct to us: When our Illini team of 1989, with Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle and Kendall Gill, busted out, it was Vitale whose voice we would all imitate while playing basketball in the back yard. “The Flying Illini, Baby!”

Of course, we were 13 years old, and 13-year-olds are stupid.

–Leitch/Deadspin [2008].

That’s about right. But why am I getting all worked up? College basketball doesn’t start until March.

If there’s one thing America does well, it’s kicking ass. The other thing we do well? Kicking ass when revenge is on the line. In this case, today is the 38th anniversary of the biggest screw job in sports history, as the U.S. men’s basketball team was robbed of the gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics when terrible officiating gave Russia a 51-50 win. As a result, the U.S. players refused to accept their silver medals, but it cemented our country’s status as the most beloved in the world forever*.

Earlier this week, Russian coach David Blatt twisted the icy sickle of commie pinko memories when he told reporters that he sincerely believes there was no screw job and Russia wholeheartedly deserved that gold medal. Whatever you say, Boris. Better get back in line for bread and toilet paper, because Team USA sprayed glasnost all over Blatt’s face this afternoon with an 89-79 win over Russia. Leading the way on the court was Kevin Durant, but it was Mike Krzyzewski who provided the real weapons in this cold war.

Make Lenin spin in his embalmed grave with some video after the jump, Coach K:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made it clear that they’ll do everything it takes to keep LeBron in the Mistake By the Lake, including firing the deceptively successful Mike Brown, despite open criticism of the front office from other Cavs stars like the tall guy and the one who passes the ball. Brown was the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2008-09 season and won more than 60 games in each of the last two seasons. However, the Cavs were upset in the playoffs this year and last, mostly due to Brown’s inability to coach beyond his theory: 1. Give it to LeBron. 2. ??? 3. Win a title!

The list of potential new coaches for Cleveland is short but prominent, with Phil Jackson and Mike Krzyzewski at the top, and John Calipari still lingering amidst rumors that he’s kissing William Wesley’s powerful butt. Coach K has already turned down the advances of the Russian Mafia New Jersey Nets, and representatives of Duke have said he’s not going anywhere. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has vowed to open his wallet for the right coach, but there’s a better chance of Coach K giving birth to Asian triplets than leaving ultimate 100 percent job security and man-of-legend status at Duke.

Poke that hornet nest with a stick, Yahoo! Sports:

Calipari also says he’s not leaving Kentucky but, as of June 1, his representation is about to change to be William Wesley, who is a pal of LeBron’s. The word is that Wesley has been trying to sell teams on taking Calipari and James as a package.

Whoever it is, a new coach isn’t likely to be named until after July 1 when the free-agent window flies open. And if one is, it’s likely LeBron has given his affirmation and is planning to return to the Cavs.

The Chicago Bulls have also upped their ante for LeBron as they’ve reportedly used back channels to contact Jackson about returning to the coaching gig that made him famous. Cold War tactics aside, Jackson has given no indication as to his coaching future, other than a brief mention of retirement last week. Andrew Bynum certainly doesn’t appreciate the distraction while he’s playing in the Finals against the Celtics. On the moon. In front of the galactic emperor.

Read the rest of this entry »

Well, la-dee-freakin’-da, how ’bout them Dukies!

In a thrilling game from the opening tip until Gordon Hayward’s desperation 45-footer caromed off the backboard then off the rim at the buzzer, Duke edged Butler 61-59 Monday night to win the school’s fourth national championship and how very happy we all are for them. Neither team led by more than six points at any time and Butler never appeared overwhelmed or intimidated by the Duke’s Aura of Excellence at any point.

But the road traveled by Duke to excellence was a tough one. Between sophomoric (but brilliant) sports departments at Midwestern newspapers to the usual binge drinkers of Duke-brand Haterade, it has been a struggle for Coach K’s minions as well as his devout followers to stand strong in the face of pressure to not only be the only number one seed to reach the Final Four but to win the whole darn thing. Kudos to them. Really. It’s really, really great.

Of course the knee-jerk accolades have already begun to pour in. David Dodd , Senior Writer for CBS Sports, has decreed the debate over and that Mike Krzyzewski is the greatest college coach of all-time, despite admitting in his own argument that Coach K is “miles” behind John Wooden’s 10 national titles. Wooden? Screw that guy. If Krzyzewski had his druthers, he would slow dance on the grave of Coach Wooden with the Blue Devils mascot – you know, if John Wooden were actually dead.

But what do I know? I didn’t even watch the game live last night. Instead, I went and saw Clash of the Titans. Hey, if I’m going to watch someone parade around with a God complex for two hours, it might as well be an actual god. Or at least one portrayed by the dreamy Liam Neeson.