Chris Collins (right) is interested in becoming the head coach at Northwestern. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

PHILADELPHIA—Ever since Northwestern dismissed longtime head coach Bill Carmody March 16, Chris Collins has been linked to the opening. There is mutual interest—Collins grew up in Chicago and expressed interest in coaching in the Big 10 last year when the Illinois job was open—but he will not set up an interview until Duke’s season concludes.

Mike Krzyzewski was asked about the possibility of Collins becoming a head coach Friday.

RALEIGH -- N.C. State entered Tuesday's game against Northwestern unbeaten on the season and unbeaten at home in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Both short-lived streaks are history after the Wolfpack's 65-53 loss to the Wildcats at the RBC Center.

DURHAM — Duke's schedule was designed to fit as many "manageable" non-conference games against "like-minded schools" as possible.

That doesn't say much for Duke's non-conference opponents, except like Duke, those opponents are better in 2008. Duke's opponents outside the ACC are 13-3 four weeks into the season.