Pess Weighs in on Coach K..

We already established I am a UNC fan. So, it's obvious to all that I abhor Duke. But, the most recent events brought to light the reasons I think Coach K is a complete sleezeball. Let me paint a picture for you.

UNC dominates Duke. I mean, Duke came back to within 2, and then UNC ran away with it. So, it's an 11 point game with under a minute left. Coach K calls a timeout, so he obviously hasn't given up. Coach K has his starters in, so he doesn't think the game is over. And, for those who remember, teams can come back from double digit leads with less than a minute left (like Duke did against Maryland on Jan. 27, 2001). So, since Coach K was still palying to win, so was Roy Williams...who still has his starters in.

At the end of the game, with 15 seconds left, there is a player waiting to come in for Tyler Hansbrough. But, the FT is missed and Tyler grabs the rebound. As he goes up for a layup, Gerald Henderson comes flying in and nails Tyler with his elbow. Did he mean to hit him in the nose? Probably not. But, by his own admission, he meant to "block his shot or foul him." So, he came flying in recklessly and fouled him hard, just like he wanted.

Then, Coach K opens his mouth. He revelas that he's mad Roy was still trying, and says that event could have been avoided if the "players involved" weren't still in the game. Then, Coach K says that he would have suspended the player if he thought he did it on purpose. Riiiight. Just like he did when Laettner stomped on the chest of the Kentucky player. Not only is he full of crap in that regard, but his comments actually illuminate the intent on that play. Coach K was mad he was losing, that he couldn't come back, and that UNC hadn't given up. He wanted Roy to give up so he could keep his starters in the game and make the score respectable. And, when Roy didn't, he called a TO. He probably told them not to give up any easy baskets. And, he probably whined to his players about UNC still having their starters in.

Of course, Coach K gave his typical "my boys played their hearts out" crap that he always does. But, the way he handled this play really highlighted the lack of class that he has. "Duke people" want their school and athletes to be put on some pedestal for doing things the "right way." I find it hard to believe that anyone would claim this situation was handled the "right way." You see, the truth is this: Duke believes everything should go their way. They are "supposed" to win because it says Duke on their jerseys. They didn't win, they couldn't come back, and UNC didn't quit. So, Duke got frustrated. They performed a heinous foul, and now they are trying to slither their way out of it with the "we don't play like that" chant. Well Coach K, you do play like that now. And, thanks to your sleazy press conference, more people are starting to see you as the phony that you really are.

Did I mention that I hate Duke?