The NCAA championship was between two great teams. Wisconsin just defeated Kentucky in the Final Four. Kentucky was attempting to do what no team has ever done and go an improbable 40-0. Wisconsin did not want any part of it, setting them up for the championship game. Then you have the always, dominant Duke versus the relentless Michigan State. This was a matchup involving great coaches. Tom Izzo, the head coach of Michigan State has been to seven final fours and has won one National championship. He is no pushover although on this day it would seem so, Duke beat Michigan State 81-61 to vault their team into the national spotlight.

The championship game, a matchup between two heavy weight teams. Wisconsin was led by their forward Frank Kaminsky. Frank has been a staple to the Badgers program averaging over 18 points and 8 rebounds per contest. The whole team was going to have to produce for Duke if they wanted the win. They did and they did it in a big way. Duke’s freshman combined for 60 points, a national title record. The ending score was 68-63 Duke, a close game which good coaches win. Bringing another championship title to Coach K’s already impressive resume.

Since Coach Mike Krzyzewski has arrived as head coach at Duke in 1980, he has reached the final four 12 times, and has won 5 championships. To put that into perspective only one head coach has won more titles (John Wooden) with 10. The next coach that can be compared in championship wins is Adolph Rupp, with 4 championships, however he only made it to the final four six times. Dean Smith is close to final four’s with 11, however he only has two national championships. Coach K as he is often referred to is a winner.

There are four college basketball coaches with 1000 plus wins.   Coach K has 1,018, which is only second to Harry Statham at 1,088. He continues to coach and add to his totals. The man that does have more championships than Coach K has 664 wins and that is John Wooden. This is a difference of 354 wins. To top it off he has also brought the Men’s USA basketball team championships in the FIBA championship and the Olympics. No other coach has won a championship at the collegiate level, as well as FIBA and the Olympics. If you don’t believe he is the best coach now, you at least have to admit he is in the conversation.