UNC and Kansas advance to NCAA men’s basketball championship as Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s legendary career comes to an end

UNC will play Kansas in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game after defeating Duke 81-77 Saturday night in the Final Four.

The win by No. 8 seed North Carolina effectively ends Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s legendary career.

In a back-and-forth thriller, Tar Heels guard Caleb Love finished with 28 points, while center Armando Bacot added 11 points and 21 rebounds. Blue Devils’ freshman forward Paolo Banchero had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils climbs the ladder to cut down the net after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 78-69 during the second half in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Elite 8 Round at Chase Center on March 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California.

Related article Mike Krzyzewski advances to record-setting 13th Final Four as Duke defeats Arkansas

The Tar Heels look to win the program’s seventh NCAA title, the last one coming in 2017.

Last year, Krzyzewski announced he would retire at the end of the 2021-2022 college basketball season. Duke associate coach and former Blue Devils player Jon Scheyer will take over as head coach next season.

Following the game Saturday, Krzyzewski said he’s focused on his team, noting some players were crying on the court.

“As a coach, I’m just concerned about these guys. … And I mean that’s the only thing you can think about,” he said.

Mike Krzyzewski watches pregame introductions before his final home game at Duke in March 2022.

Before he was a coach, Krzyzewski played at Army under another legendary coach, Bob Knight. Decades later, Krzyzewski would eventually break Knight's record for most Division I coaching wins.

Krzyzewski and Knight coach Team USA together at the Pan American Games in 1979. At the time, Knight was the head coach of Indiana University. Krzyzewski was head coach at Army, his alma mater.

Krzyzewski speaks to the media after he was named Duke's head coach in 1980.

Krzyzewski coaches Billy King during the national title game against Louisville in 1986. Duke lost 72-69, but it would return to the Final Four in five of the next six seasons.

Krzyzewski and Duke celebrate after winning the NCAA Tournament final in 1991. It was sweet redemption for the Blue Devils, who were blown out in the national title game one year earlier.

Krzyzewski hugs his star center, Christian Laettner, after Laettner's buzzer-beater over Kentucky put the Blue Devils in the 1992 Final Four. Duke went on to repeat as champions.

President George H.W. Bush welcomes Krzyzewski's team to the White House after their 1992 title.

Krzyzewski and his longtime coaching rival, North Carolina's Dean Smith, chat before a game in 1994. Smith retired in 1997.

Krzyzewski speaks to Duke fans after the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium was named after him in 2000.

Krzyzewski celebrates with his daughters Jamie, left, and Lindy after Duke won its third national championship in 2001.

In 2001, Krzyzewski was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was joined by his old coach Bob Knight, who introduced him during the ceremony. Other inductees that year were John Chaney, far left, and Moses Malone, second from right.

Krzyzewski shouts toward an official during a home game against North Carolina in 2005.

Krzyzewski coaches LeBron James, left, and Carmelo Anthony during a Team USA practice in 2008. The team went on to win Olympic gold that year in Beijing.

Krzyzewski wears numerous gold medals while celebrating the Olympic win with his team in 2008.

Krzyzewski greets the "Cameron Crazies" before Duke's annual Blue-White game in 2008.

The Duke bench celebrates after the Blue Devils defeated Butler to win the national title in 2010.

Krzyzewski kisses the net following Duke's 2010 title.

Krzyzewski coaches his team during a huddle in 2011.

Krzyzewski and Knight embrace after Krzyzewski broke Knight's record for most Division I coaching wins in 2011. Knight was at the game serving as a television commentator.

Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie, watch as a new banner, celebrating his wins record, is unveiled at Cameron Indoor Stadium. On the left is former Duke athletic director Tom Butters, who hired Krzyzewski.

LeBron James dumps water on Krzyzewski after Team USA won Olympic gold in 2012.

Duke fans cheer as Krzyzewski takes the floor before a home game in 2015.

Krzyzewski sits courtside during the 2015 national title game against Wisconsin. The Blue Devils went on to win their fifth championship.

Krzyzewski and Duke guard Quinn Cook celebrate their 2015 title.

Krzyzewski jokes with President Barack Obama as the Blue Devils visited the White House after their 2015 title.

Krzyzewski coaches his team during a game in New York in 2015.

Krzyzewski greets North Carolina head coach Roy Williams before a game in 2018. Williams retired in April 2021 as head coach of the Tar Heels, Duke's archrival.

Duke fans hold up a cardboard cutout of Krzyzewski's face during a game in 2019.

Krzyzewski directs his team as associate head coach Jon Scheyer shouts behind him in 2019. Scheyer will succeed Krzyzewski as Duke's next head coach. Scheyer also played for Krzyzewski and was on the national title team in 2010.

Krzyzewski coaches his team during the ACC Tournament in 2021. Duke missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.

Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie, leave a news conference after he announced his retirement plans in 2021.

Krzyzewski attends a preseason event at Duke in 2021.

Memorabilia is displayed at the Duke Basketball Hall of Fame on the day of Krzyzewski's final home game in March 2022.

Krzyzewski coaches the Blue Devils during his final home game. The big night was spoiled by North Carolina, which defeated Duke 94-81.

Krzyzewski acknowledges the crowd after his final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. There were 96 former Duke players in attendance to watch the game, including Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, Elton Brand and JJ Redick. During the postgame ceremony, Krzyzewski apologized for the loss and thanked the crowd for their support over the years. "Our family has grown up here — 10 grandchildren, our three beautiful daughters — and we have absolutely loved being a part of the Duke family," Krzyzewski said. "It's hard for me to believe this is over."

Krzyzewski is hugged by star freshman Paolo Banchero after Duke won their second-round game in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Krzyzewski and his players pose for photos after winning the West regional at the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils defeated Arkansas to book their spot in the Final Four.

Krzyzewski looks to the crowd before the start of Duke's Final Four game against North Carolina.

Krzyzewski talks with his team during a timeout at the Final Four.

Krzyzewski walks off the court for the last time after Duke lost to North Carolina 81-77.

In pictures: Coach K's legendary career

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“I’ve said my entire career … that I wanted my seasons to end where my team was either crying tears of joy or tears of sorrow, because then you knew that they gave everything. And I had a locker room filled with guys who were crying. And it’s a beautiful sight,” Krzyzewski said.

“It’s not the sight that I would want; I’d want the other. But it’s a sight that I really respect and makes me understand just how good this group was. … We win and we lose together,” he said.

“Coach K,” as he is affectionately known, has coached at Duke for 42 seasons and is the NCAA’s all-time winningest head coach. He led the Duke men’s program to five national championships in 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010 and the last one came in 2015.

Earlier Saturday, No. 1 seed Kansas defeated No. 2 seed Villanova 81-65 to advance to the program’s first title game since 2012.

Jayhawks senior forward David McCormack finished with a game high 25 points while Wooden Award finalist senior guard Ochai Agbaji finished with 21 points.

Villanova forward Eric Dixon, center, collides with Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) under the hoop during the semifinal round of the Men's Final Four NCAA tournament Saturday in New Orleans.

The last title game appearance for the Jayhawks came in 2012, when the program lost to Kentucky 67-59 in New Orleans.

Kansas has won three championships in program history, the last one coming in 2008.

The national championship game is scheduled for Monday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.