North Carolina takes out Coach K, Duke in Final Four

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, left, greets North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis after their national semifinal game on Saturday night in New Orleans. North Carolina outlasted Duke, 81-77, in a thrilling game that brings an end to the coaching career of Krzyzewski, who is retiring. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski leaves the court after Duke’s loss to North Carolina in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski hugs his wife, Mickie, after Duke lost to North Carolina in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski leaves a news conference with his wife, Mickie, after a loss to North Carolina in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski wipes his face during a news conference after Duke’s loss against North Carolina during a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Theo John #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reach for the ball in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball past Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Mark Williams #15 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots over AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball as Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels defends in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels loses control of the ball after the rebound in the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks with his team in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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    Duke forward Wendell Moore Jr. scores against North Carolina during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) shoots over the reach of Duke’s Trevor Keels (1) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) celebrates after scoring against Duke during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 02: The Duke Blue Devils band cheer in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina forward Brady Manek (45) shoots over Duke forward Wendell Moore Jr. during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Theo John, right, dunks against North Carolina forward Armando Bacot during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) shoots against Duke during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball in the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Theo John #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reach for the ball in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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    R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball as Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils defends in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reaches for the rebound in the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels protects the ball from Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles past Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots a layup past Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis reacts to a play during the first half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke forward Theo John (12) dunks over North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Theo John dunks against North Carolina guard Caleb Love, left, during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Theo John (12) dunks over North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    The Duke Blue Devils mascot enters the arena before the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after being fouled and making the basket against North Carolina during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) shoots over Duke’s Mark Williams (15) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) reacts to a play during the first half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke’s AJ Griffin (21) shoots over North Carolina’s Brady Manek (45) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis speaks during the first half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles past Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks the ball in the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) drives to the basket between Duke’s Theo John, left, and AJ Griffin (21) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Paolo Banchero (5) shoots over North Carolina forward Brady Manek (45) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) shoots over Duke’s AJ Griffin (21) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina guard Dontrez Styles (3) shoots against Duke forward AJ Griffin during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils blocks a shot by Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Duke forward Paolo Banchero, right, celebrates after scoring as North Carolina guard Leaky Black looks on during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches during the first half of a college basketball game against North Carolina in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke guard Trevor Keels shoots over North Carolina guard Leaky Black (1) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    Duke forward Theo John fouls North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Theo John, right, battles North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) for the rebound during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) shoots against Duke’s Theo John (12) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Dontrez Styles (3) blocks a shot by Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke forward AJ Griffin scores against North Carolina during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots the ball as Theo John #12 and Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils defend in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Duke forward Theo John, right, blocks the shot of North Carolina guard R.J. Davis during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils drives against Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reaches for a rebound against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball as Armando Bacot #5 and Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels defend in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots past Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) shoots past Duke center Mark Williams (15) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) scores past Duke’s Mark Williams (15) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) shoots against Duke center Mark Williams (15) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball around Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reaches for the ball past Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina’s Brady Manek, left, fouls Duke’s Paolo Banchero (5) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels blocks a shot by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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    Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) scores past Duke center Mark Williams during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Duke forward Paolo Banchero dunks the ball against North Carolina during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils drives against Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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    Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) heads to the hoop against North Carolina during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) scores ahead of Duke’s Paolo Banchero (5) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina forward Armando Bacot shoots over Duke’s Paolo Banchero (5) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke’s Paolo Banchero (5) is fouled by North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis speaks with an official during the second half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is injured in the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina forward Armando Bacot is helped off the court during the second half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) is helped off the court during the second half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. (0) shoots between North Carolina’s R.J. Davis, left, and Armando Bacot during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke forward Wendell Moore Jr. celebrates after scoring against North Carolina during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) scores between Duke’s AJ Griffin, left, and Theo John (12) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) celebrates after scoring against Duke during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke guard Jeremy Roach (3) heads to the hoop against North Carolina guard R.J. Davis during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) fouls Duke’s Jeremy Roach (3) during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles the ball past Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils reaches for the ball past Leaky Black #1 and Brady Manek #45 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Caleb Love of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    North Carolina fans cheer during the second half of a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    North Carolina celebrates during the second half of a college basketball game against Duke, in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    North Carolina’ R.J. Davis (4) and Leaky Black (1) celebrate victory after a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. North Carolina won 81-77.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Brady Manek (45) celebrates after beating Duke in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate their victory against Duke after a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. North Carolina won 81-77. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate after defeating arch rival Duke, 81-77, in a national semifinal on Saturday night at the Superdome in New Orleans. UNC will meet Kansas in the national championship game on Monday night. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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    Duke’s Jeremy Roach (3) leaves the court after Duke’s loss to North Carolina during a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate after a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. North Carolina won 81-77. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate after beating Duke in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke guard Jaylen Blakes (2) leaves the court as North Carolina players celebrate a win after a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. North Carolina won 81-77. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) celebrates after North Carolina’s win against Duke in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) gets a hug from Justin McKoy as they celebrate their win over Duke in a college basketball game during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate after their win against Duke during the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina players celebrate after a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. North Carolina won 81-77. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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    Duke and North Carolina tip off during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    Duke fans cheer before a college basketball game between Duke and North Carolina in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina fans cheer before a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke fans cheer before a college basketball game between Duke and North Carolina in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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    North Carolina fans cheer before a college basketball game against Duke in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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    Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches play against North Carolina during the first half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men’s Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

NEW ORLEANS — For the 48th time over 47 years of unparalleled coaching, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski took the slow walk to midcourt and shook the hand of the North Carolina coach who beat him.

After that, he found his wife, Mickie, and they made the slow, sad walk, hand-in-hand, off the Superdome floor. Saturday night’s 81-77 setback in the national semifinal showdown between archrivals marked Coach K’s last loss, and one of his toughest losses, too.

And thanks to the Tar Heels – those dadgum Tar Heels – the 75-year-old coach will have plenty of time to get over it.

“I’m sure at some time, I’ll deal with this in my own way,” said the coach, who had announced before the start of the season that 2021-22 would be his last.

Krzyzewski’s remarkable career came to a gut-wrenching finish after Caleb Love made a key 3-pointer and three late free throws to lift the Tar Heels to their thrill-a-minute victory.

This was the 258th, most consequential and maybe, just maybe, the very best meeting between these teams, whose arenas are separated by a scant 11 miles down on Tobacco Road.

The eighth-seeded Tar Heels (29-9), of all teams, pinned the 368th and final loss on Krzyzewski. He finished with 1202 wins. His lifetime record against North Carolina fell to 50-48. Losses No. 47 and 48 are ones Carolina fans will treasure forever. They were partying early into Sunday morning on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. This latest win came exactly four weeks after the Tar Heels ruined the going-away party in Coach K’s final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

That loss hurt. “Unacceptable,” he called it, still knowing there was time to regroup for one last run into March Madness. They made that run, but the last loss stopped that all in its tracks – one agonizing win short of a title game and a chance at his sixth championship.

Krzyzewski said he had a locker room full of crying players when it was over.

“It’s not about me,” he insisted. “Especially right now. I’ve said my entire career that I wanted my seasons to end where my team was either crying tears of joy or tears of sorrow. Because then you knew that they gave everything.”

They gave everything all the way through the nip-and-tuck contest – neither team led by more than seven – that concluded with an edge-of-the-seat stretch run that Duke played without a timeout. When the final buzzer of his career blared, Krzyzewski shook the hand of Carolina’s rookie coach, Hubert Davis.

Instead of Krzyzewski going for his sixth title, on Monday, Carolina will try to win its seventh. It will be Davis, Love, who led the Tar Heels with 28 points, and R.J. Davis, who scored 18, going against Kansas, which beat Villanova, 81-65, earlier in the undercard.

“Dwelling on the two wins against Duke doesn’t help us against Kansas,” said Hubert Davis, who took over for Roy Williams this season and has now brought Carolina to its 12th title game.

Maybe not, but what a game – as good as any these teams have played in an ancient rivalry that has so-often determined conference titles, or, at the very least, bragging rights in a state where basketball is king. Their first-ever meeting in the NCAA Tournament, this one, featured 18 lead changes and 12 ties.

It also featured another breakout performance from Love, whose 28 points after an 0-for-4 start were one more than what he put up in the second half of a win last week against UCLA in the Sweet 16.

“It means everything to me,” Love said of his key 3-pointer with 25 seconds left.

There was so much to talk about in this instant classic, one that Krzyzewski, clad in his blue pullover with a “D” embroidered on the chest, watched most of while perched on a stool situated on the sideline above the Duke bench.

At around the 2-minute mark, the teams traded three straight 3-pointers. Wendell Moore Jr.’s 3-pointer with 1:19 left ended the flurry and gave Duke a 74-73 lead. It was the last lead of Krzyzewski’s career.

R.J. Davis came back with two free throws, then after Duke’s Mark Williams, in foul trouble all night, missed a pair from the line, Carolina worked the ball around the perimeter.

Tar Heels guard Leaky Black set a pick – make that threw a block – on Trevor Keels to free up Love, who drained a 3-pointer from near the top for a 78-74 lead and what felt like breathing room in this one.

Love made three more free throws down the stretch, and then it was over. Krzyzewski and his wife walked off the floor together, the same as they had after four wins during the run to his record 13th Final Four.

Near the other bench, Hubert Davis was crying again – just like Ol’ Roy – much as he did last weekend when North Carolina punched its ticket to its record 21st Final Four.

“I felt like over the last two or three years, North Carolina wasn’t relevant,” said Davis, whose biggest win came a year to the date Williams announced his own retirement. “North Carolina should never be irrelevant. It should be front and center with the spotlight on them.”

Freshman Paolo Banchero led the Blue Devils with 20 points and his classmate, Keels, had 19. Another freshman, A.J. Griffin, never really got untracked, finishing with only six points.

Chances are Griffin and Banchero will be following Krzyzewski out the door. They are the latest in his revolving door of “One and Done” players, though neither they nor Zion Williamson in 2019 could lead Duke back to the promised land.

North Carolina is back on the verge again, playing in its third final since 2016 and looking for its second title since 2017 Win or lose, though, 2022 will always be remembered as the year North Carolina sent Coach K packing for good.

One team’s joy is another team’s pain.

“When you’re in the arena, either you’re going to come out feeling great or feel agony, but you always will feel great about being in the arena,” Krzyzewski said. “I was in the arena for a long time, and these kids made my last time in the arena an amazing one.”

FOUL TROUBLE

Carolina big man Armando Bacot finished with his seventh straight double-double – 11 points and 21 boards – despite fouling out down the stretch. Duke’s Williams played the entire game in foul trouble. He finished with four buckets for eight points – all of them on dunks.

FAMILIAR FOES

Monday will mark the fourth meeting in the season’s final week between Kansas and North Carolina, but the first in the national final since 1957, before the tournament had become what it is today.

Carolina won the title game in triple overtime over Wilt Chamberlain and the Jayhawks. The Tar Heels won in 1993 on the way to the title and Kansas returned the favor in 2008, then also went on to take the championship.

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