Coach K gets win No. 700
Mike Krzyzewski avoids any contact with the outside world before a game, a long-standing ritual that allows him to prepare mentally for the task ahead.
He made a rare exception Sunday, making a phone call to the man who hired him at Duke, former athletic director Tom Butters.
“I did talk to Tom,” Krzyzewski said, “to say thanks.”
Later, on a court that bears his name, Coach K became the sixth active coach to reach 700 victories, watching as Shelden Williams finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds to help the ninth-ranked Blue Devils (6-0) beat Toledo (1-4) 82-54 in Durham, N.C.
A rough first three seasons at the school left Krzyzewski with a 38-47 record, but Butters stuck with him. That support has continued throughout his 25 years at Duke, even during two brief musings about leaving for the NBA.
“I wonder, ‘How lucky was I?’ ” Krzyzewski said. “At 38-47, somebody’s got to be there for you. Duke’s always been there for me, and I’ll always be there for Duke.”
During a brief ceremony after the game, Krzyzewski thanked several people within the program, including current and past players, and the Cameron Crazies who pack Cameron Indoor every game.
He also gave a nod to former coach and mentor Bob Knight, the only one to reach 700 faster than Krzyzewski.
(8) North Carolina 109, Loyola of Chicago 60: Jawad Williams scored 17 points and was one of six North Carolina players in double figures as the Tar Heels (7-1) beat the Ramblers (2-6) in Chapel Hill, N.C.
(23) Maryland 96, UNC-Asheville 72: John Gilchrist scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and Maryland was perfect from the free-throw line as the Terrapins (5-2) beat the Bulldogs (1-5) in College Park, Md.
Arizona St. 75, UC Riverside 59: Ike Diogu had 13 of his 19 points in the second half, and junior college transfer Bryson Krueger scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Sun Devils (7-1) past the Highlanders (3-3) in Tempe, Ariz.
Women
Shyra Ely had 17 points and 10 rebounds and ninth-ranked Tennessee rallied from 15 points down to beat No. 15 DePaul 78-63 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Freshman Alexis Hornbuckle, starting in her first game, added 15 points and Brittany Jackson had 14 for the Lady Vols (5-2), who trailed the Blue Demons (6-2) the entire first half and didn’t take the lead until 11:20 left in the game.
(2) Stanford 80, San Francisco 51: Freshman Candice Wiggins scored 22 points and also had four steals, two assists and a blocked shot as the Cardinal (7-0) blew past the Dons (5-4) in San Francisco. … (3) Duke 83, Liberty 48: Wanisha Smith scored a career-high 21 points to lead four Duke players in double figures as the Blue Devils (8-1) routed the Flames (3-4) in Durham, N.C. … (5) North Carolina 94, Coastal Carolina 52: Camille Little scored 18 points while freshman Erlana Larkins added 17 as the Tar Heels (8-1) cruised past the Chanticleers (2-3) in Chapel Hill, N.C.
(11) Georgia 70, (24) Arizona 62: Freshman Tasha Humphrey scored 19 of her 21 points in the second half as the Bulldogs (7-3) beat the Wildcats (6-2) in Athens, Ga. … (13) Texas Tech 86, Mississippi 38: Chesley Dabbs scored 21 points and Alesha Robertson added 16 as the Lady Raiders (5-1) routed the Rebels (4-3) in Lubbock, Texas. … (14) Vanderbilt 94, St. Louis 51: Ashley Earley scored 20 points and Carla Thomas added 19 as the Commodores (7-1) beat the Billikens (1-7) in Nashville, Tenn.
(19) Maryland 81, Monmouth 49: Shay Doron had 20 points and seven steals as the Terrapins (7-1) beat the Hawks (4-4) in College Park, Md. … (21) Purdue 74, W. Michigan 42: Erin Lawless scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Boilermakers (6-2) beat the Broncos (0-5) in West Lafayette, Ind.