Mike Krzyzewski feels 'a little bit empty' about Duke missing NCAA tournament

Legendary Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski predicted earlier this month that his team would likely have to win the ACC Tournament to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. While the Blue Devils began the conference tournament with two straight victories, they withdrew from the competition last Thursday due to a positive COVID-19 test that ultimately ended the season for Coach K's team. 

Per David Thompson of The Fayetteville Observer, Krzyzewski admitted during his Sirius XM Radio show he felt "a little bit empty" about Duke missing the big dance for the first time since 1995. 

"You have to earn your way in," he said. "We didn’t do enough and then right there at the end, look there is no right time to get the virus." 

Duke finished with a 13-11 overall record and a 9-9 mark in conference play.

"We are in quarantine and going through all the stuff," Krzyzewski said of the team's current status. "We were not able to play and then, obviously, we were not picked to play." 

He added: 

"It’s no one’s fault. And I’m good. Look, I’ve been the luckiest guy in the world. Are you kidding? Forty-six years at West Point and Duke, 11 years with the U.S. team. We’ve won a lot. Part of appreciating your winning is losing or not making it. Whatever time (it is), toward the end of my career, it makes me appreciate it more." 

Back in December, Krzyzewski suggested the NCAA should've delayed basketball seasons because of the health crisis. "On the other side of it, there are these vaccines that are coming out," he said during his comments on the situation. "By the end of the month, 20 million vaccine shots will be given. By the end of January or in February, another 100 million. Should we not reassess that? See just what would be best?"