INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Mike Krzyzewski stood beside the gleaming national championship trophy, posing for the traditional, confetti-soaked photos after winning a fifth title.
But when a photographer asked Krzyzewski to hold up five fingers, Duke’s Hall of Fame coach declined.
“No,” Krzyzewski said, pointing at the crystal basketball sitting atop the trophy. “This is one win.”
It made sense. Krzyzewski has talked all season about not letting his players feel burdened by either his program’s past successes or failures. Live in the moment, he told them. And in the end, it explained why he was more focused on winning his first title with this team than becoming the second coach to win five NCAA titles with Monday night’s 68-63 win against Wisconsin.
“All of them are great,” Krzyzewski said. “The one you’re in this moment with is always the most current, you can feel it the best. I haven’t loved a team any more than I’ve loved this team. We have eight guys, and four of them are freshmen. For them to win 35 games and win the national title is incredible.”