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By Cole Sullivan
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The NCAA Tournament is here, and with brackets being filled out in high volume, everyone is searching for the team that could cut down the nets in Indianapolis and emerge victorious from the 68-team field.
Legendary college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who spent 42 seasons with the Duke Blue Devils, knows a thing or two about winning championships, bringing home five national titles during his time with the program.
And while he is certainly still riding with them and current head coach Jon Scheyer in his retirement to make a run, there was one team he mentioned during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he believes has a “real chance” to bring home the NCAA title — the reigning 2025 champions, the Florida Gators.
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“They do have a chance,” Krzyzewski said. “Todd Golden is a hell of a coach and one of the key things is they have their four big players, their four big guys back from last year. Those guys have been on this run before and their two guards, Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, early in the year were learning to be at that level. They now know being at that level.
“They got knocked out by [Vanderbilt], but until they lost this last game, they were probably the hottest team in the country... they rebound the hell out of it. They definitely have a shot to do it.”
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Fans reacted to McAfee having Krzyzewski on the show, as well as his opinion about the Florida Gators potentially being destined for greatness once again.
“As a Gator fan I agree, but not having elite guard play this year will likely be our undoing. Vandy shot lights out against us and we went cold from the guard spot,” one fan said.
Someone else added, “Going back to back for a second time would be insane.”
Another person wrote, “Hope he’s right but doubt it.”
“I’ve ALWAYS said I respect Coach K’s opinion & he’s the best mind in the sport. Good pick, coach!” a fan shared.
One more commented, “I have been watching your show for the last couple of years and I have to say that this segment with Coach K was one of your best ever!”
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Florida entered as the fourth and final No. 1 seed and will be playing out of the South Region with their first game scheduled for Friday against the winner of the First Four game between Prairie View and Lehigh. If they advance, they'd be set for a Round of 32 meeting against the winner of No. 8 Clemson and No. 9 Iowa.
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