Syracuse Basketball: Coach K Shows Zero Class in Loss

Syracuse Basketball pulled off an outstanding, impressive victory over the Duke Blue Devils last night at Cameron Indoor, and Coach K didn’t like it.

Look, I get it. He’s the coach and winning is of the utmost importance. However, that does not excuse the childish behavior he exhibited at the end of Duke’s third consecutive loss. I understand he may have been upset and not agreed with the call, much like what happened with Boeheim two years ago in the now-infamous “jacket incident”.

But to shun Syracuse players and not shake hands after the game? Are you kidding me? How old are you, 12? Sorry, that’s actually unfair to 12 year olds. I certainly remember not getting some calls while playing Camillus Optimist league basketball, but regardless I always shook hands with the other team. It’s called sportsmanship.

In case you didn’t see what happened, here’s a clip of the last play and what transpired:

As you can see, Duke missed a shot on the inside. The ball was loose around the foul line and both Malachi Richardson and Duke’s Matt Jones went for it. It was a 50/50 ball. The two players collided. Jones, because he plays for Duke, throws his hands up wildly as if he were hit by a bus, and the refs ignore his obvious acting and let play continue. That’s the correct call I might add.

Malachi Richardson eventually gets the ball and is fouled. He makes one of two free throws, and Syracuse wins the game 64-62. That’s when things got shady. Coach K, in a fit of rage, hounded the refs all over the court, screaming at them with his little rat-like face all a’flutter. Then, when forced to go into the handshake line, this occurred:

Yep, that’s right, he completely bypasses all of Syracuse’s starters like a spoiled little brat. He doesn’t even acknowledge them. He just walks right on by, looking away from them. Talk about being a baby. Sorry that for once a call didn’t go your way Coach K. It’s not as if you’ve gotten an incredible number of calls in your favor over the years. Oh wait, you have.

Let’s not forget the infamous CJ Fair play from two years ago, another 50/50 call that favored Duke and handed them the victory. In case you were wondering, here’s that play and Boeheim’s epic, meme-tastic reaction.

Once again, another 50/50 call (though if you watch closely, the Duke players feet are clearly shuffling when Fair goes up) that should have been a no-call at best, that favored Duke and decided the game. Yes, Boeheim flew off the handle (justifiable in my opinion), but I guarantee you he doesn’t take it out on the players if he had been there in the handshake line.

It takes a special kind of spoiled brat to do that, and that’s exactly what Coach K was last night. He could have been the classy guy and shaken hands. Heck, if he disagreed, he could have talked about it in his post-game press conference (like he did, saying the play was “Amazing” nine times). But to snub Syracuse’s players? The ones who fought and scratched tooth and nail to pull out the game? C’mon Coach K, that’s bush league. That’s on par with Jarmal Reid tripping a referee after not getting a call.

Thanks for proving to us all what you truly are Mr. Krzyzewski, a rat. Plain and simple.