By ANDREW JONES
FOXSportsSouth.com
Durham, NC --- As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Duke's 98-72 victory over Elon on Monday night, Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski buttoned his blazer and walked toward Phoenix coach Matt Matheny to shake hands, as he always does with opposing coaches.
But this wasn't just any old handshake. At that moment, Krzyzewski and his one-time rival, Dean Smith, became joined at the hip, and for the next eight days, until top-ranked Duke plays again, Tar Heels and Blue Devils can argue all they want, but Smith and Coach K are absolute equals.
Krzyzewski notched the 879th victory of his career Monday night, tying Smith for second on the all-time list. Their programs have fought for decades, and Smith and Krzyzewski certainly had their clashes. But, their respect for each other has grown in recent years, and they now stand together.
"To share something with him for this moment is a really good thing," Krzyzewski said.
And he's right. It's a good thing for the game
