Izzo’s unique consistency knocking on Final Four doors

PHOTO: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo opened his 25th straight NCAA tournament guiding the Spartans to a first-round win over USC. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN It’s true a Final Four opportunity escaped Michigan State with the Sweet Sixteen loss to Kansas State, but that’s a backwards view – an over-and-back violation of the program’s 25-year streak of NCAA tournament trips. The drought, after all, is only three seasons! Plenty of schools and coaches –…

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Coach K needs no introduction, although there was that one night at the Emily K Center

PHOTO: Coach K's final media gathering Thursday before his last game Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in 42 years as Duke's head coach. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN DURHAM – Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski entered the meeting room Thursday afternoon at Coach K Tower, officially known as Scharf Hall. The stride was labored but natural for a 75-year-old man relying on artificial knees and hips and a back surgically repaired a little more than…

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Duke’s coaching-staff-in-waiting enjoys two celebrations

PHOTO (Duke Athletics): Paolo Banchero dunks at Wake Forest. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN Duke’s coaches enjoyed more than one celebration following Wednesday’s bounce-back win over Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. First, there was the post-game celebration. The Blue Devils won 76-64. That was routine for a blue-blood program that this season is ranked No. 8 in the nation with a 13-2 record overall and 3-1 in the ACC. The win avoided a two-game following Duke’s…

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