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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16.2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NCAAB
Krzyzewski passes Knight with win No.903
KATHY WILENS/AP PHOTO
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Duke coach Mike Krzyezewski, left, gets a smile after a hug from Bob Knight, after Duke defeated Michigan State 74-69 in an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, in New York. Krzyezewski earned his 903rd win, passing Knight for the most Division I victories.
NEW YORK — Cheek to cheek, Mike Krzyzewski and Bob Knight hugged, a player and his coach celebrating a big win — one it's safe to say might never happen again in college basketball.
The Blue Devils gave Krzewzski his 903rd win, breaking the tie with Knight, Krzewzki's college coach at Army and his mentor throughout his professional career.
The man known simply as "Coach K" became Division 1's winningest coach when No. 6 Duke beat Michigan State 74-69 on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic.
With Knight sitting across the court at the ESPN broadcast table, and with several former players in the stands — many able to attend because of the ongoing NBA lockout — Krzyzewski moved to the top of the list in front of a sellout crowd of 19.979 at Madison Square Garden.
Krzyzewski went right across the court to hug Knight when the game ended. Krzyzewski, tears in his eyes, broke away, and Knight pulled him back, hands on his shoulders, then there was one final slap of the shoulder.
"I just told Coach I love him," Krzyezwski said. "I wouldn't be in this position without him. It's a moment shared. I know he's very proud, and I'm very proud to have been somebody who's worked under him and studied him and tried to be like him.
"I'm not sure how many people tell him they love him but I love him for what he's done for me and I thanked him. He said 'Boy, you've done pretty good for a kid who couldn't shoot.' I think that means he loves me too. At least that's how I'm taking that."
Junior guard Andre Dawkins had 26 points for Duke (3-0), which took control with a 20-1 run that gave the Blue Devils a 61-14 lead with 9:17 to play. Then it was just a matter of counting down the minutes — except for a late run by Michigan State that made it a five-point game in the final minute — until the celebration could get under way.
It wasn't the Cameron Crazies cheering their coach on after a few nights waiting and sleeping in Krzzyzewskiville. But a pro-Duke crowd started to get loud as the Blue Devils took control in the second half, as well as the fans from Michigan State, Kentucky and
Kansas and a bunch of regular old New Yorkers including filmmaker and New York Knicks fan Spike Lee.
"The basketball gods are good ... they put two guys who've done a lot in the game together, special moments, and tonight is another one of those special moments," Krzypeywski said of Knight's presence at the historic game.
The former players in attendance read like a Who's Who of great college basketball players in the last three decades.
And they were all there for one reason.
Like many others, Battier doesn't think Krzyzewski will be done adding to the win total for several years.
"I can't say I'm surprised because I saw firsthand the level of preparation, the level of passion he put into his program every single day," said Shane Battier, who won a title with Krzyzewski. "I know if you gave him enough opportunity hed give Bobby Knight a run for his money. It's just amazing to be here on this night to see the culmination of this work."
"He's ageless. He looks great. He looks the same as when I was a freshman." Battier said. "There's a
reason to think he won't be around for many years to come."
Dawkins, who had six 3-pointers, and Ryan Kelly hit 3s to start Duke's big run. As Michigan State (0-2) kept missing shots down low, Seth Curry hit another 3 for Duke and then the Blue Devils closed the run by making 6 of 6 attempts at the free throw line.
The Spartans kept Krzyzewski coaching to the final minute. They finally started hitting shots and forcing turnovers to close to 74-69 with 12.9 seconds left.
Curry had 20 points while Kelly
added 14 for the Blue Devils, who were 10 of 21 from 3-point range.
Krzyzewski used the New York Yankees to explain how hard it is to keep a program on top of because of players changing every four years, or even earlier with the NBA draft looming overhead.
"It's a special moment," Krzyzewski said of his family and former players being there. "At halftime I wasn't sure we were going to have this moment. We beat a really good team, and I'm glad now we can just move on and just develop our team."
15 straight years and you have to do it in intense competition in a great school," he said. "We never have problems because usually we can develop a team. They want to be one, and I don't have to fight that which is great."
"We don't have Jeter or Rivera for
Keith Appling had 22 points for Michigan State, and Brandon Wood added 15. The Spartans finished with 21 turnovers.
"I was in a no-win situation," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
TOP25
Hot start by Gators not enough to best Buckeyes, Sullinger
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio — William Buford scored 21 points and three teammates chipped in with big games as No. 3 Ohio State survived the seventh-ranked Gator's quick start to roll to an 81-74 win on Tuesday night.
Freshman Bradley Beal had 17 points, Kenny Boynton 15 and Patric Young and Erik Murphy 14 apiece for the Gators (1-1), who have never beaten a top-3 team in a true road game.
Down as much as 16 points, they got as close as five with under a minute left before Buford sealed
They considered it a learning experience.
it with two foul shots.
"I'm really thankful that we had this challenge early in the season so we can work on some things," said Young, who also had 12 rebounds. "Rankings really don't mean anything in basketball as much as they do in football. So it really helps our team to understand what we need to work on and help us move forward."
Preseason All-American Jared Sullinger added 16 points, Deshaun Thomas scored 15 and Aaron Craft had 13 points and seven assists for the Buckeyes (2-0), who forced 16 turnovers and hit 27 of 34 free throws to lead by double figures for most of the final 20 minutes.
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