Busting Brackets
Fansided

Duke vs Pittsburgh: 5 biggest storylines for 2019-20 ACC matchup

By Garth Johnson

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 02: Head coach Jeff Capel of the Pittsburgh Panthers calls to his team as Sidy N'Dir #11 runs up the court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 2, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 02: Head coach Jeff Capel of the Pittsburgh Panthers calls to his team as Sidy N'Dir #11 runs up the court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 2, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Coach K and Coach Capel

I imagine it must be difficult to square off with a former player, pupil, trusted confidant and good friend.  One that Coach K has had a strong and personal relationship with for almost thirty years.

I imagine K must want to see Capel succeed but also since they are in the same conference, wants that success tempered a bit so the Blue Devils can continue their winning ways over the Panthers.

I also imagine it must be hard for Jeff Capel to return to the hallowed halls of Cameron where he has spent so much time, created so many memories and probably had or has visions of returning someday to lead Duke, but as head coach this time.

The lead recruiter and top assistant for so much of Duke’s recent success, we all believed he was being personally groomed for that unforeseeable day when Coach K finally hangs them up.

Victories are bittersweet.  Losses are moments of reflection with a tinge of sadness for the vanquished coach.  This scenario is far more likely with the Duke victories as Coach Capel would gladly and unapologetically take a victory due to the cache it would have with his players, program and Pittsburgh.

Next. Biggest Bracketology matchups of the week. dark

Whatever the case and state of their personal relationship, the Pittsburgh Panthers will travel to Cameron Indoor on Tuesday night looking to shock the basketball world and the Duke Blue Devils will do all they can to stop it.  We’ll just have to see if the Devils do it and how well they do it to potentially get back to the top of the rankings where we have seen Duke so much before.

Home/Pittsburgh Panthers