SALT LAKE CITY — The one question that everyone has for the Utes is, “Just how sweet is it?”
Utah’s first trip back to the Sweet 16 since 2005 will not be an easy go, taking on one of the most historic programs in the country with a coach they can all agree is the real Coach K.
Head Utes Coach Larry Krystkowiak met Mike Krzyzewski, Duke head coach, once.
“I have at a 7-11 recruiting in Vegas,” Krystkowiak said Monday.
The media asked if he had bought Krzyzewski a Slurpee.
“I did not, I just said there is the real Coach K,” the coach said in response.
Krystkowiak was asked if he thought the Blue Devil head coach was the real “Coach K.”
His answer was swift and absolute.
“Heck yeah! He’s the man; 1,000 wins and I’ve got 100.”
Senior guard Delon Wright agreed.
“I’ll definitely have to go with him, but I like my Coach K better,” Wright said.
This is not Coach K’s first rodeo. He has been coaching since 1976, starting his career with Army, then moved onto Duke in 1980. He has been there ever since. With Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have won four NCAA National Championships, appeared in 11 Final Four’s, and 21 Sweet 16s. He is the head coach for the United States National team, earning a gold medal in 2008.
For the Utes, Duke is a tough opponent, but they would not trade them for anyone else.
“I’ve always wanted to play against Duke or North Carolina, Kentucky or a team like that. It’s real fun that we to play them in a tournament,” Wright said about their upcoming game.
Krystkowiak said Duke is an unbelievable good team in a lot of different ways.
“I think they have one of the best back courts in the country, one of the best big guys in the country, one of the best coaches in the country, and one of the best records in the country,” The Utah coach said about Duke’s history. “We’ve got our hands full in a lot of different areas. It’s going to be a heck of a challenge. We’re going to have to be really good to be competitive with them. I mean, how can you not like this opportunity that’s in front of us?”
The Utes will meet up with Duke this Friday in Houston. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
Make sure to follow FOX 13 as we go with the Runnin’ Utes on their NCAA tournament journey.
We will have all the latest from Houston starting Thursday.
