There are so many "can't believes" associated with tonight's game. I can't believe another year is upon us, last year was, well, forgettable in SO many ways. I can't believe how many years I've been a part of DI (I believe this is year 19 and year 14 as "the guy that makes the gameday threads" lol). That's a really long time. But most of all, I can't believe every game that goes by this year, we're a game closer to the event no true Duke fan has ever wanted to happen - Coach K's retirement.
I've followed Duke closely since the 1985-86 season and have thought about when his retirement will come so many times. But I'm not sure we can every truly prepare for it. He has built this program from the ground up and done it with class. He's the best that's ever done it, and he's adapted to the game year after year after year instead of doing what most veteran coaches would do at the end, try and force the game to adapt to them.
With that said, beginning tonight, I'm going to put a fact about Coach K in every gameday thread I make the remainder of the year. Some might be no brainers, some might surprise you, and some you may not have had a clue is true, but I'd like to honor what he's meant to me personally, and all of us as Duke fans.
#1: Coach K is the all time leader in both ACC tournament wins (67) and ACC tournament championships (15). That basically means that Coach K's Duke teams have won every third ACC tourney championship since he began coaching in 1980. That is truly remarkable.
Alright, onto tonight. I'm not really sure what to expect except for likely a sloppy game. That said, I love the Champions Classic and kicking off college hoops every year with it.
Tonight's game is slated to tip at 9:30pm est and will air on ESPN.
Duke - 80
Kentucky - 76
GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've followed Duke closely since the 1985-86 season and have thought about when his retirement will come so many times. But I'm not sure we can every truly prepare for it. He has built this program from the ground up and done it with class. He's the best that's ever done it, and he's adapted to the game year after year after year instead of doing what most veteran coaches would do at the end, try and force the game to adapt to them.
With that said, beginning tonight, I'm going to put a fact about Coach K in every gameday thread I make the remainder of the year. Some might be no brainers, some might surprise you, and some you may not have had a clue is true, but I'd like to honor what he's meant to me personally, and all of us as Duke fans.
#1: Coach K is the all time leader in both ACC tournament wins (67) and ACC tournament championships (15). That basically means that Coach K's Duke teams have won every third ACC tourney championship since he began coaching in 1980. That is truly remarkable.
Alright, onto tonight. I'm not really sure what to expect except for likely a sloppy game. That said, I love the Champions Classic and kicking off college hoops every year with it.
Tonight's game is slated to tip at 9:30pm est and will air on ESPN.
Duke - 80
Kentucky - 76
GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
