Wearing a pink button-down shirt and boxers, Coach K slides gracefully across the floor with guitar in hand. A scene Duke fans thought they would never see starts off Activision’s new “Guitar Hero: Metallica” commercial. The spot includes Coach K, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino and Bob Knight, along with members of Metallica. The commercial first aired and the game arrived in stores over the weekend.
“To see how they did it and to do it was a lot of fun,” said Coach K. “I like what they came up with and it shows we can all work together. I think having Coach Knight in the prominent role (as lead singer!) was the right thing to do. One, he should be and then it is not one school highlighted. It is a bunch of schools having a lot of fun.”
The game features 28 songs from Metallica and 21 other cuts from some of the band’s favorite artists, such as Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters and Slayer. The hilarious commercial was shot in Raleigh earlier this year.
Duke Commercials This March
*Cameron Crazies – Coke
Snowball Effect Dooms Duke
Duke’s national championship hopes fell apart in a hurry in the second half against Villanova, as the Wildcats continued to swarm and the Blue Devils couldn’t hit an outside shot. “It was just a snowball effect. We weren’t hitting our shots, and that itself is frustrating,” Kyle Singler said after the game. “So you take rushed and hurried shots, and those are the ones that hurt you in the long run.”
A combination of poor shot selection, solid Nova defense and rushed shots caused the worst shooting percentage by a Duke team since a “stall-ball” game against NC State in 1968 when the Devils were 2-for-11. As a result, the season came to an end in the Sweet 16.
A Year to Remember
The 2008-09 Blue Devils enjoyed a number of great accomplishments over the course of the season. Once the pain of the season’s final game starts to fade, the guys can look back on some big wins including the ACC championship, incredible hard work and sacrifice, hilarious locker room moments, and a great group that represented the university at the highest level. ”This has been a great team for me to coach,” Coach K said. ”I love these guys. I’m proud of them.”
*Champions of 2K Sports Classic
*Devils became Coach K’s record 14th team to reach the No. 1 ranking.
*Playing some of its best basketball of the season towards the end of the year, the team played 10 of its last 12 games against NCAA Tournament teams and won 10 of those contests.
*Duke won 14 of its 19 games against ACC teams.
*The team matched the 1991 Blue Devils for the most wins in a single season in Cameron (16).
*The team played perhaps its best game of the year in the ACC title game, defeating FSU to win the conference title for the 8th time in 11 years.
*Duke’s win over Texas gave the team 30 wins on the year. This squad is Coach K’s record 10th to hit the 30-win mark.
*The Blue Devils earned the No. 2 seed in the East thanks to the #1 ranking in the RPI and the nation’s toughest strength of schedule.
*The guys pulled out a tough win against Texas to send the Devils to the Sweet 16 for the 10th time in 12 years.
Looking Ahead
The season “officially” wraps up with the season-ending banquet to be held in Cameron on April 24th. In the next few weeks, players and coaches will meet individually or in small groups to plan for the spring and summer.
Wednesday in Boston
The team enjoyed a productive full day in Boston on Wednesday. After breakfast and some scouting, the squad headed over to the TD Banknorth Garden. All of the teams have to sit in on an NCAA presentation on gambling so the guys did that before meeting with the media in the locker room. Coach K, Jon and G also had a press conference in the interview room. After that, the team practiced for about 50 minutes in front of a few thousand fans, signed some autographs and headed back to the hotel. From there, it was on to dinner at a nearby steakhouse. Everyone was excited to see former player/coach and current Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker at the meal! After dinner, the team headed back to the hotel to get some rest, with a big day ahead.
Photo Gallery
Fast Fact
Duke’s winning percentage all-time in the NCAA Tournament is the nation’s best (.748, 86-29).
Quote of the Day
“I think our schedule has been ranked the tops in the country and we finished ranked No. 1 in the RPI. And playing that type of schedule exposes strengths and weaknesses. Then you have to adjust as a coaching staff and as a team to position your players the right way. We’re fresh. We’re excited. I think we’re going to be ready to play.”
Coach K
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Fresh & Excited on Travel Day
Today is a travel day for the Blue Devils as the team will make its way to Boston after practicing in the K Center. Although the team has played a lot of hoops lately mostly away from Cameron and against great teams (10 of the past 11 games against NCAA Tourney squads), the team is feeling fresh and excited.
“I’m about as fresh as I’ve ever been at the end of the year, said Coach K. “I think a lot of it has to do with the kids I’m coaching. They’ve been just a pleasure.”
At this time of year, the adrenaline of the Big Dance can overcome the bumps, bruises and fatigue that sets in over the course of a season. Each of the 16 teams remaining have tasted success in the Dance this year and it leaves them wanting more.
“It’s very special, I’m very excited. My family’s excited, fans are definitely excited. It’s a good accomplishment” said Kyle Singler. “But we can’t stay satisfied with just getting to the Sweet 16. It’s kind of a benchmark that we got to, but now we just have to stay hungry like we have throughout these last couple weeks.”
Women in Action
The women’s hoop team, seeded first in the Berkeley region, takes on Michigan State tonight with a spot in the Sweet 16 at stake. The game is at 7 PM on ESPN2.
Around the Web
Fast Fact
In the modern, 64-team era of the NCAA Tournament, Coach K has won 20 more games in the Big Dance (71) than any active coach (dates back to 1985).
Quote of the Day
“To win those five games in eight days is a heck of a thing. It’s not just a good thing; it’s big time. I told them, ‘There’s no way that you don’t come out of last weekend more confident. When you accomplish, that’s how you gain confidence.’ All of them were tough games. We came out of it a better team.”
Coach K
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Back to Work
After a well-deserved off-day following a hectic stretch, the team went back to work today with practice and classes. Thursday’s game against Villanova tips at around 9:57 PM. The team will also have a practice open to the public on Wednesday at 3:10 PM at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Soldier Support
The 82nd Airborne Division soldiers sent a shout out to the Blue Devils. Click HERE to check it out.
Blue Devil CBS Connection
The CBS team involved in bringing March Madness into homes around the world features several Duke grads…
Jay Bilas (Analyst) — Former player and 1986 graduate
Mike Gminski (Analyst) — Former player and 1980 graduate
Jim Spanarkel (Analyst) — Former player and 1979 graduate
Bob Wenzel (Analyst) — Former assistant coach from 1975-80
Seth Davis (Studio) — 1992 Duke graduate
Sean McManus (President, CBS News and Sports) — 1977 Duke graduate
Chris Simko (Senior VP and Director) — 1988 Duke graduate
Around the Web
*Special K
*Juniors living Duke’s success
*Living up to expectations
*As freshman learns, Duke’s fortunes turn
*Obama responds to Coach K
*Coach K on the Dan Patrick show
Fast Fact
Duke has played in two of the four most watched basketball games (NBA or NCAA) of all-time.
1992 NCAA title game, 20.9 million homes / 1994 NCAA title game, 20.4 million homes
