The biggest spectacle in college basketball comes in March in the form of the NCAA tournament. Since the men’s basketball tournament began in 1939, 36 different teams have won an NCAA Championship. The common theme among all of those champions is the feeling each and every participant experienced.
Times like these are when the stakes are at an all-time high, and these individuals have to handle the emotions to the best of their ability. Whether you’re a hall of fame coach, all American player or even a student journalist, you will always remember the feeling deep inside during the lead up to the biggest event in college hoops.
During Mike Krzyzewski’s 41 years at Duke University, where he is known as Coach K, the stakes have never been higher in his 46-year career as a head coach. At Duke University, he captured five national championships, accumulated an NCAA record of 1,170 career wins and set a record for most Final Four appearances at 13. Despite Krzyzewski being in the most Final Fours out of anyone, the main goal was never to break that record.
“You don’t play for records, records happen because you play and because you play hard. To have that record means I have had the opportunity to coach some exceptional teams. The coach is only as good as the team he coaches,” said Krzyzewski as he approached his 13th Final Four appearance. He embraced his last Final Four with mountains of emotion as he savored each moment he spent on the court, working with his players and even talking to the media.
Brady Manek captivated the world during the month of March due to his uncanny ability paired with his unique build and his overall swagger. Manek’s play style has been compared to NBA Hall of Famer, Larry Bird, because of their similarities in shooting ability and appearance. When asked about the comparisons, Manek was appreciative of being mentioned in the same breath as a living legend.
“It’s been around a while just because of the way I look. He’s one of the best players, he’s one of the better shooters ever,” said Manek, “It’s really cool that’s what people think of when they look at me.”
The forward from the University of North Carolina has been a catalyst for the Tar Heels’ explosive post season run. Manek has contained his emotions throughout March and pushed forward to the promised land. A large role in Manek’s success is in confidence; he believes in his team regardless of the matchup, seed or situation.
“Being an eight seed, we found our way here, anything can happen now,” Manek said. The hype built up around UNC basketball has been insurmountable for Duke as of late.
After crushing Duke 94-81 in the final home game of Krzyzewski career, momentum started weighing in the favor of UNC. However, the basketball gods were on the fans’ side as the stars aligned for a UNC vs Duke semifinal. Not only would this be the rivals’ first meeting in NCAA Tournament history, but it would come in the form of a farewell tour for the “Coach K” era in the rivalry with UNC.
“Those games are awesome,” said Manek. “For me to be a part of it is awesome.”
The UNC vs Duke games have always been back and forth games that have everyone sitting on the edge of their seat. This meeting was more of the same as the game saw 18 lead changes along with 12 times the two teams were tied. However, in the end Krzyzewski’s night was once again spoiled by the boys from Chapel Hill.
UNC defeated Duke 81-77 after a long-fought battle down to the wire.
“You’re either crying for joy or you’re crying for sorrow, and if you are that means you’ve put everything into it,” described Krzyzewski, as emotions were once again the topic of discussion as he reacted to the team’s loss.
The general consensus from these major sporting events is that the moments after a victory are some of the sweetest memories. UNC’s coach Hubert Davis described the emotion he was experiencing by calling it a “beautiful day for Carolina basketball.”
How were the Tar Heels able to do it? Emotion.