Coach K lauds South Carolina's defense after elimination
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was gracious in defeat after being eliminated in an 88-81 loss to South Carolina on Sunday.
The Blue Devils led by seven points at halftime, but surrendered 65 in a second-half capitulation, the most points allowed in a single half by a Duke team coached by Krzyzewski in his 37 seasons with the school.
South Carolina also clamped down on Duke's offense, which was held to 41.5 percent shooting from the field.
"That was the toughest defense we've played against all year. Very physical," Krzyzewski said via USA TODAY's Nicole Auerbach.
Two years removed from his fifth national championship, the Hall of Fame coach couldn't hide his disappointment.
"At the end of the season, I want my guys to be crying because we lost or crying because we just won," Krzyzewski said.
It will be a long offseason for Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils after they couldn't find a way to slow down the Gamecocks during the second half.