Even though the men's basketball season ended with Duke's victory over Arizona in the national championship game, that was only the beginning of the celebration.
As they do each year, the Blue Devils held their annual banquet last night in Cameron Indoor Stadium. But unlike the vast majority of these events, the purpose of this celebration was to celebrate Duke's national championship win. The title banner was raised at the conclusion of last night's festivities.
"I can't stop smiling," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "I've been this way since the national championship game."
The likelihood of Krzyzewski's latest achievement seemed to be in doubt after 1999, when three Blue Devil players-Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and William Avery-bolted the Gothic Wonderland for greener pastures in the NBA, and embattled center Chris Burgess transferred to Utah.
These early departures, combined with the graduation of prolific three-point scorer Trajan Langdon, sent a shockwave through the program. And the despair was noticeable at that team's postseason celebration. In fact, as some players recollected throughout last night's banquet, many people in the college basketball world were speculating that the mass exodus would result in the end of the Blue Devils' dominance.
"To truly appreciate the accomplishments of this year's team, we need to think back to two years ago," Athletic Director Joe Alleva said, as he chronicled the team's various problems following the 1999 season.
Krzyzewski agreed.
"[The national championship] was, for me, the most fulfilling year I've had with a basketball team," Krzyzewski said. "And it started two years ago."
However, the next two teams turned the difficulties of 1999 into advantages, especially for two Blue Devil upperclassmen. Forward Shane Battier and swingman Nate James eagerly awaited their newfound roles on the team.
"[Losing so many players] meant more shots for Nate and myself," Battier joked.
The Michigan native's more prominent role on offense after his sophomore season was a major factor in his rise to fame as the national player of the year and as spokesperson for college basketball.
And if these accolades were not enough, Battier also swept the plurality of the awards at last night's banquet, winning the Captain's Award, the Iron Duke award for most minutes played, the True Blue Award for most charges taken, the Deryl Hart award for the team's scholar-athlete and the award for most rebounds. Of course, these honors were trumped by two awards that Battier shared with two of his teammates; the senior, along with freshman Chris Duhon, won the best defensive player honors, and shared the Swett-Baylin Most Valuable Player award with sophomore Jason Williams.
"Your career here stands through the ages for what a student-athlete should be," Krzyzewski said to Battier from the podium.
James also received a high honor last night, picking up the Coach's Award, representing the player who best exemplifies the commitment and the values of the Duke basketball program.
The fifth-year senior was especially gratified when giving his senior speech, mentioning that his ability to recognize his strengths and weaknesses-especially those brought about by the injuries he suffered early in his career-was a vital part of his success as a Blue Devil.
"Although it took five years," James said, "I can finally say I'm running my own race."
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