Paolo Banchero looks back at his freshman season, Coach K's farewell campaign

Paolo Banchero has put together a standout freshman season for Duke – and he’s a big reason why the No. 2 seeded Blue Devils are still alive in the NCAA Tournament. After scoring 19 points in the team’s second-round win over Michigan State and tallying 22 points in their Sweet 16 victory against Texas Tech, the standout forward then put up 16 points in Saturday’s Elite Eight win over Arkansas – which sent Duke into the Final Four.

While Banchero – a former On3 Consensus five-star recruit – has had a great run and is enjoying much success in just his first season with the Blue Devils, he’s been able to do it alongside legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski in his final season leading the storied program.

Following Saturday’s victory over Arkansas, Banchero met with reporters for the team’s postgame press conference and looked back on his freshman season and Coach K’s farewell campaign.

“It’s just been a great year with the team, and as a team we’ve had highs and lows, and we’ve just stuck together through it all,” Banchero said. “We knew we were capable of this, and that’s what we’ve worked for since June. So to finally be able to get to New Orleans and have a chance to play for a national championship is a blessing.

“I’m just proud of the way we came together.”

Fresh off another March Madness win, Banchero and Duke are back in action next Saturday against the winner of No. 8 North Carolina and No. 15 Saint Peter’s in the Final Four. The matchup will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with TBS carrying the national broadcast.

Mike Krzyzewski gives great response when asked to rate this year’s Duke squad all-time

After Saturday night’s victory over Arkansas in the Elite Eight, Mike Krzyzewski was asked where this year’s Duke Final Four team ranks all-time among the teams he has coached. Coach K wasn’t willing to put this year’s team up against any of the other ones that he’s led in his career.

“I could and then get those teams mad at me,” Krzyzewski said when asked to rank this Duke team among all of the ones he has coached. “So just like I don’t rate my daughters or my grandchildren, I’m not going to rate — I’m not going to do that, but obviously, this is one of 13 that have gone to a Final Four, so they’re right up there.”

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.