Mike Krzyzewski passes John Wooden for most Final Four appearances all-time
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski made history on Saturday night in San Francisco.
Duke’s 78-69 win over Arkansas means the Blue Devils are going to the Final Four next week in New Orleans. This is the 13th Final Four in Krzyzewski’s career, which breaks a tie with legendary coach John Wooden for the most all-time.
Mike Krzyzewski is going to the Final Four for the 13th time.
He now holds sole possession of the all-time record. pic.twitter.com/yFES8FFzuL
— Saturday Road (@SaturdayRoad) March 27, 2022
“It’s an honor,” Krzyzewski said after the game. “Coach Wooden, if he kept coaching, probably would’ve had 24.”
Wooden retired after UCLA’s National Championship in 1975. He led the Bruins to a staggering 12 Final Four appearances between 1962 and 1975.
However, the NCAA Tournament was different in Wooden’s era. The Bruins rarely had to go through a gauntlet in order to reach the Final Four. The NCAA Tournament didn’t expand to 64 teams until 1985.
Win or lose, this will be Krzyzewski’s last season. Duke will face North Carolina or Saint Peter’s in the Final Four next Saturday. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels have never met before in the postseason.
