NCAA TOURNAMENT DAILY REPORT

Maryland Coach Gary Williams is one of seven active coaches who has led three teams to the NCAA tournament. He took Boston College to the NCAA tournament in 1983 and ‘85, and led Ohio State to the tournament in ’87. This is the Terrapins’ third trip under Williams.--Associated Press

Even in defeat, Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was proud of his team’s performance this season, one year after Krzyzewski was sidelined for most of the season because of a back injury and Duke missed the tournament.

The Blue Devils opened the season by winning the prestigious Great Alaska Shootout, a major upset, stumbled to an 0-4 start in Atlantic Coast Conference play, then rallied back to make the tournament.

“I thought this was a great year for us,” Krzyzewski said after losing to Eastern Michigan. “Expectations at Duke, because of what’s happened the 10 years previous to this one, are unrealistic. And because they played emotionally and won the Great Alaska Shootout . . . people want to believe in Santa Claus, and so do I sometimes.

“But we were a limited team. And this team has exceeded my expectations. I’m proud of them. It was a really rewarding year for me--a hell of a lot better than last year.”

Then he added with a smile, “Although, when [Eagle forward Jon] Zajac hit that shot [to fend off Duke’s last comeback], my back started hurting.”