Mike Krzyzewski reveals plans for Duke ahead of ACC opener

Mike Krzyzewski and his Duke team are currently 10-1 overall and ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press top 25 poll. The Blue Devils have been playing solid basketball so far this season, but Coach K wants to ensure that stays the same.

Over the past three weeks, the Blue Devils have been going nonstop and haven’t had any time for a break. Since Nov. 26, Duke has played five games – including three in the past five days.

Following their win Saturday over Elon, Krzyzewski said that his team is going to rest up Sunday before preparing for Wednesday’s ACC opener against Virginia Tech at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

“We have to just keep getting better,” Krzyzewski said. “Tomorrow I am getting them away – they are going to come in for testing and do therapy but that is it. It’s been a long three weeks for them. We are going to get fresh. We are going to play against a veteran team in Virginia Tech. They play together. They are older and they are very good. Hopefully, with that two-day preparation, we will have a chance to do a good job against them.”

Coach K calls out ACC for COVID-19 protocol, testing requirements

Of the notable teams that’s been dealing with COVID-19 issues within their program is Duke, who had to reschedule its game Saturday not once, but twice in a three-day span. The Blue Devils were originally scheduled to play Cleveland State before it was hit with COVID-related issues. They rescheduled to host Loyola Maryland, but that team was then forced to cancel. Duke was finally able to play a game vs. Elon on Saturday.

In addition to the scheduling challenges Duke has faced, Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his coaching staff wore face masks on the bench Saturday for the first time this season. That decision came after Duke assistant coach Nolan Smith missed Saturday’s game due to being in the school’s health and safety protocol.

Following Saturday’s game, Coach K met with the media and offered his thoughts on COVID-19 testing in college basketball and the COVID-19 forfeit policy set by the ACC.

“This can get screwy quick,” Krzyzewski said. “It already is kind of screwy. I would personally like to go back, like last year. … We wanted to make sure everyone that we played was tested. We don’t have that mandate now. I don’t like the forfeit thing, either.”