Krzyzewski and Plumlee talk Michigan State and Collins

Duke will leave for Indianapolis and the Midwest Regional Wed. afternoon following the team's practice. Prior to the departure, head coach Mike Krzyzewski and senior center Mason Plumlee spoke with the media about the upcoming matchup with the third-seeded Spartans Fri. at 9:45 pm, as well as the report of associate head coach Chris Collins being hired as the head basketball coach at Northwestern.

Here are some highlights from the press conference.

Krzyzewski on the team's health:

"We have recovered pretty well from the weekend in Philly. Usually, in the NCAA Tournament one week doesn't go into another, but in our case it did because of playing so late. So we didn't get back here to Cameron until 4:30 in the morning on Monday...Hopefully we'll be in real good shape. We are healthy. Ryan and Seth are fine. We are going to practice here today and leave right after practice..."

Krzyzewski on the matchup with Michigan State:

"On Friday night, I think you are going to have two excellent basketball teams playing against one another on a huge stage—it's that 9:45 game Friday night with really two of the best programs over the last long period of time. It's a big-time game. Their guys are good. Our guys are good...It's going to be an honor being in such an elite game."

Krzyzewski on having played Michigan State the past two seasons:

"I think each team takes on a little bit of its own personality. The consistent factor for them is that they are an outstanding rebounding team. You all have the stats from the last two games how they've dominated on the boards. Pretty much when they go on the court they are the best offensive rebounding team on the court. And we have not done that. To me that is one of the key areas."

Krzyzewski on his relationship with Spartan head coach Tom Izzo:

"Great. We are very close friends. I really like him a lot. I think he's a coach's coach. He's a guy's guy. With all the success, he's a humble guy. He's okay if someone else does well, which a lot of people are not in any profession—just a hard worker, an honest guy. When he says something, you can believe him. There's not a thing I don't like about Tom. And he's becoming a great friend over the years."

Krzyzewski on Kelly's recent offensive struggles:

"I don't know if struggle is the right word. I thought he played a great game against Creighton. You cover McDermott and see how you do offensively...I thought really some of the fouls he had were crazy. He played a very disciplined tough game. You know he's still not in the shape to play great—against Miami he shot great and against Creighton he played great defense and he handled the ball well...The longer we play, he has a chance to get in better shape. It's tough to be a good scorer with tired legs."

Mason Plumlee on watching Michigan State on film:

"Quite a bit. I actually watched quite a bit of their regular season games. Obviously they are very talented, athletic. I think their first five are really strong and they bring in a couple good guys off the bench too. We're going to have to be ready for a physical game."

Plumlee on the sense of urgency of the team, especially the underclassmen:

"I think they are more responsive when you get on them in practice and in games—more receptive to being yelled at, or positive stuff... I just think there's like a no non-sense kind of attitude on our team right now. Whatever said isn't personal, it just needs to be said. We just address things quickly. It's just all about winning. We don't have time for people's feelings."

Plumlee on Michigan State's physicality and prowess on the glass:

"We just have to be smarter. I think if I in particular and Ryan we do our work early, we'll stay out of foul trouble. I can't imagine the game being called with that high number of fouls again."

Plumlee on Collins likely leaving:

"He was the first person that recruited me. First of all, I think that's a great, great fit for him. I mean I'm not a coach myself, but knowing coach Collins he knows that area very well. He's a guy that players respect. I think just being around him in my first week of practice here I was like, 'This guy knows what he's doing, knows what he's talking about.' Obviously, he has had the experience. He's been around great coaches his whole life. I think he's going to fit into that mold very well...I'm just glad he hung around for me last year. He's fun to be around just practice, in the locker room. He's a fun coach."