Mike Krzyzewski reveals reasons for exit in Wake Forest game

It was certainly a scary moment for longtime Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski last Tuesday night, as he left the Blue Devils’ game against Wake Forest and didn’t return because he wasn’t feeling well. Fortunately for Coach K, he’s feeling much better and has returned to the sidelines to lead his team down the stretch of the season.

After leaving the Wake Forest game, Krzyzewski was back on the sidelines Saturday to coach his Duke team to a 88-70 win over Florida State. Following the victory for the Blue Devils, Coach K met with the media and revealed the reasoning for his exit on Tuesday.

“We played that stretch of four in eight and five in 11 and I don’t change my habits in preparation,” Krzyzewski said. “Look, it’s a long year. And that’s why I retired – It doesn’t perk as quickly. We had that day off on Wednesday and I saw whoever I needed to see, and basically it was exhaustion but nothing else.

“I feel great. It’s more of a normal schedule now, and so I think I’ll be good. I’m trying to be good.”

While Krzyzewski – who’s now 75 years old – isn’t as young as he used to be, he’s happy to be feeling better as he coaches his final regular-season games as Duke’s head coach. The Blue Devils (23-4 overall, 13-3 ACC) return to action Wednesday on the road at Virginia.

KenPom predicts outcome of final four regular season Duke games

In terms of KenPom, Duke’s final four regular season games have been predicted – and the numbers are in favor of the Blue Devils. Here’s a look at how KenPom sees Coach K’s club matching up in their next four outings, beginning Wednesday on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers.

KenPom’s predictions for Duke’s next four games

1.) at Virginia, Wednesday, Feb. 23: The Blue Devils are predicted to win 67-61, with a 69% chance.

2.) at Syracuse, Saturday, Feb. 26: The Blue Devils are predicted to win 79-73, with a 72% chance.

3.) at Pitt, Tuesday, March 1: The Blue Devils are predicted to win 73-60, with a 87% chance.

4.) vs. North Carolina, Saturday, March 5: The Blue Devils are predicted to win 82-71, with a 84% chance.

If KenPom’s predictions are correct, the Duke Blue Devils will have an overall record of 27-4 with a 17-3 mark in ACC play heading into the ACC Tournament in mid-March.