/ Source: TODAY
Legendary Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski paid his current group of title-winning players quite a compliment on TODAY Tuesday.
"It has been my best group, as far as being together, that I've coached in 40 years," Krzyzewski told Matt Lauer.
On Monday, Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63 to win the university's fifth men's basketball title under Krzyzewski. The game was tied at 31 at halftime before the Blue Devils, led by star freshmen Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor, put the game away after the break.
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski celebrates with Quinn Cook and Justise Winslow.
More from Krzyzewski:
- On what he told his team at halftime: "We were in a lot of foul trouble in the first half, and we told them, like we do most of the time, is just be themselves,'' Krzyzewski said. "When they're themselves, then we have a great chance to win. If we didn't win then somebody beat us when we would be at our best. Really throughout the season that was my main message to my team because I love them, I trust them, (and) they trust one another."
- On next season's outlook: "If all those guys came back, then we'd have a little bit better of a chance, but always pencil us in because we're always going to try to be there."
- On one of his daughters remarking on him not showing his "scowly-face" as much this season: "Well my scowly-face was a lot because I had three daughters going through their teenage years,'' he joked. "That will sometimes put a scowl on your face."