Coach K addresses crowd heckling, noise at Chapel Hill

After Duke’s huge win over rival North Carolina on Saturday, Coach K spoke on how it felt to take the court to such a loud and hostile crowd at Chapel Hill. As Mike Krzyzewski walked to the sideline before the game, fans in attendance began an explicit chant in their final chance to heckle the legendary coach.

Coach K on UNC crowd noise

Following his team’s big win on Saturday, Krzyzewski was asked about how it felt walking onto the court to such a loud and hostile crowd. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the rivalry has not had the opportunity to have fans in attendance to increase the pressure as they did on Saturday.

“I’m used to that,” stated Krzyzewski dismissively. “Somebody just told me this is my 96th game. So at least half — probably 42 of them have been here in Chapel Hill. So I’m accustomed to that. I expect that. So I got what I expected and I’m always ready for it.”

In a game that has most of the nation reflecting on the legendary coaching career of Krzyzewski, UNC fans in attendance for Saturday’s game weren’t in a respectful mood as their bitter rivals came into the gym. As the crowd began a chant of “F— Coach K” as he walked onto the North Carolina court for the final time.

Duke had the final laugh on the day though, crushing the Tar Heels 87-67 in a game that was a blowout by early in the first half. The Blue Devils shot 57.6 percent from the field to UNC’s 40.7, while outrebounding them 40-24.

While Saturday was the last time Krzyzewski took the trip to Chapel Hill in his legendary coaching career, North Carolina still has a chance to get revenge this year. Duke and North Carolina are scheduled to play each other to end the regular season on Mar. 5, this time in Duke’s home gym.

UNC fans give Mike Krzyzewski harsh welcome

After video released on social media of North Carolina’s fans starting an explicit chant against Duke, former Duke great Jay Williams called them out. The video showed Tar Heels fans begin an explicit chant about Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski as he took the court before the heated rivalry game on Saturday.

Warning: Explicit Language can be heard in the following video.

Stay classy UNC. We about to humble this crowd. https://t.co/E7rqDgL1N8

— JayWilliams.ETH (@RealJayWilliams) February 5, 2022

Duke versus North Carolina always gets fans of both teams heated up, and Krzyzewski’s final game at Chapel Hill appears to be no different early. Even if Tar Heels fans aren’t ready to praise his incredible coaching career, Williams was ready to come to his former coach’s defense. Williams’ career with Duke from 1999-2002 saw him win the Naismith and Wooden award, as well as become the No. 2 draft pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.