Welcome to the ACC, Tony Bennett.

We’re not sure if the snail’s pace basketball you used to become one of the nation’s hottest coaches in 2007 and 2008 will work at Virginia. But you seemed like a decent guy when we met you in Charlotte last year for the NCAA Tournament regional, and after suffering through four seasons of Dave Leitao, Virginia needs a decent guy.

Presented without comment, Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski's new commercial. There's also ESPN's look at the commercial, which also features Rick Pitino and Bobby Knight.

Seth Curry, the highest scoring freshman in the country this season at Liberty, will transfer to Duke. 
Dell Curry, Seth's father, confirmed the commitment Sunday evening while driving back from a day with his son and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski in Durham.

"Seth committed before he left," Dell Curry said in an interview. Duke was the only school Curry visited since being granted his release by Liberty University. 


BOSTON — There’s no disputing the fact that Duke’s 77-54 debacle at the hands of Villanova was an ugly way to finish the season.

It was the Blue Devils’ most lopsided NCAA Tournament loss since UNLV sent Duke home from the 1990 NCAA championship game with a 103-73 decision, and coach Mike Krzyzewski admitted afterward that he wished his team had played better.

BOSTON — Make no mistake, this is a great week to be covering college basketball for the Charlotte Observer and the N&O with Duke and North Carolina playing highly anticipated NCAA regional semifinal games on consecutive nights.

But as I wait (and wait, and wait) for Duke’s 9:57 p.m. tipoff tonight against Villanova, I can’t help but be nostalgic about 2005. I don’t have a dog in this fight. I graduated from Notre Dame and don’t care who wins or loses.

Staff photo by Chuck Liddy

BOSTON — If nothing else, Wednesday's media session reinforced the notion of Duke's ability to wrestle top players throughout the nation away from their home-state schools in recruiting.

The four teams in the East Regional held interviews and open practices in preparation for Thursday's Sweet 16 games. Duke meets Villanova, whose coach, Jay Wright, spoke fondly of Gerald Henderson.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked Monday to name the team the Blue Devils have played that reminds him of NCAA regional semifinal opponent Villanova.

He thought for a moment, but couldn’t come up with anybody. That's because Villanova resembles Duke more than any other team in the ACC.

"They are very similar in that they can score from all their positions," Krzyzewski said. "They like to drive. They give their players the ability to make plays."

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's hand in front of his face told the whole story Saturday night.

While seated in front of the microphones at the Greensboro Coliseum, he was trying to hide his ear-to-ear grin as he watched Duke players Jon Scheyer, Gerald Henderson and Kyle Singler explain how it felt to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

GREENSBORO — Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski wanted President Barack Obama to know he was joking when he said Obama should focus on the economy rather than picking an NCAA Tournament bracket.

So Krzyzewski's wife, Mickie, sent a text message to former Duke basketball player Reggie Love, who is Obama's personal assistant.

“Reggie texted back and said (Obama) wasn't offended,“ Krzyzewski said Friday. “Though some of the staff was concerned, because they always have to be concerned.”

GREENSBORO — It's well known that Duke's fans applauded Texas coach Rick Barnes for his public battles with North Carolina's Dean Smith in the 1990s when Barnes was coaching Clemson.

Barnes' long history with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't as well known.