Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
It’s best not to forget that the Duke basketball program was a laughingstock underachiever in the eyes of outsiders last season. Considering the arrival of another elite recruiting class plus the return of a new-and-improved eventual All-ACC First Team performer in sophomore Matthew Hurt, the final 13-11 record — and subsequent late-March vacation — was simply inexcusable.
Still, though, head coach Mike Krzyzewski often served as a spin doctor for his squad, prescribing countless reasons for the shortcomings.