Duke Basketball - Duke's Mike Krzyzewsi notched up another milestone this Sunday to become the first NCAA Division 1 men's coach to earn a staggering 1,000th career win.
The Duke Blue Devils were in the mood for the victory - although it didn't look like it during most of the game. However, during the second half of the game, which was played in Madison Square Garden, Duke edged past St. John's for a 77-68 win.
"I'm not sure I've ever been a part of a game like that. That's kind of nuts, huh?" Krzyzewsi said. "It just seemed like three different games."
After 35 seasons as head coach, Mike Krzyzewsi and Duke Basketball were at the center of national attention before the game. Although Krzyewsi has already broken Bob Knight's record for 903rd career wins, reaching the 1,000 milestone was special.
Duke players were fired up for the game, even though Krzyzewsi only spoke to them briefly about the milestone on Tuesday before practice. He said -" Don't worry about the 1000th. I'll get it eventually."
However, this was one instruction that the players did not need from their coach as they came with all cylinders blazing ready to get their 17th win of the season.
"It was bigger than every one of these players in this locker room," Duke junior Amile Jefferson said.
"We were playing to get that 17th win (of the season), and in the process, get that 1,000th win for Coach."
After the final whistle was blown, Krzyzewsi was surrounded by his assistants, family and several Blue Devils players who were wearing T-shirts with the signs "1,000 Wins and Kounting." Duke fans held signs and chanted Krzyzewsi's name.
During the postgame interview with his family members present, Krzyzewsi said he was pleased the game was over. He added that although there will be other coaches that will break his record as he did Knight's, it was special to be the first reach the milestone.
"I'm glad it's over. There will be others that win more, but it is kind of neat to be the first one to 1,000," he said. "I am proud of that, too. It's not just the number of wins, but the quality of opponents we've had."
67-year-old Mike Krzyzewsi's coaching career began in 1975, although he had a slow start at Duke, he has guided the Blue Devils to four NCAA titles and 11 trips to the Final Four.
