Paolo Banchero on Duke locker room following North Carolina loss

Duke star Paolo Banchero spoke about how the locker room reacted after their loss to North Carolina in the final home game of Coach K’s career. Duke defeated their rival on the road by 20 points earlier in the season, but the Tar Heels got their revenge at the end of the season by beating Duke by 13 in their gym.

Paolo Banchero on Duke’s last loss to North Carolina

After the loss on their home court to finish the season, the festivities following the game were designed to celebrate the legendary career of their retiring coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils lost the game and weren’t particularly close to a victory, causing Krzyzewski to speak to the fans in attendance after the game. Before he could be celebrated, Krzyzewski said his team’s performance was unacceptable.

Banchero was asked how it felt to hear that from their coach after a tough loss, and how the team felt about knowing all that remained was postseason basketball.

“I would say we were upset for the most part and disappointed with the way we had played in that game,” said Banchero. “Just looking back on the film of that game, we as a team just feel like we didn’t show up how we should have. And we’re a much different team than we were back then. And we got rid of some of those bad habits that you saw in that game.

“So just thinking back to that game obviously everybody was disappointed. Coach obviously was too. But I feel like we’re a different team and we have a much better group about us right now.”

The Blue Devils have a chance to change the way their season ends now, as they prepare for a rubber match on the highest stage — a Final Four matchup with North Carolina for the first time in their rivalry’s history. Also up for grabs for North Carolina is the chance to prevent Krzyzewski from retiring with a winning record over North Carolina. Coming into their matchup, Coach K is 50-49 all-time against the Tar Heels.