Reply #26: Jon, Kyle, Nolan, Lance, Brian, Andre, Miles, Mason, Casey, Ryan

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

and everyone else...

Thank you for a terrific season. I would have never thought you would win a national championship. In your first games of the season, you seemed to lack something... a presence in the post, leadership and scoring...

But then Brian found his place and Nolan, Kyle and Jon asserted themselves. A good team, not an excellent team, led by the best college basketball coach alive, one who can gain the respect of college players and pros like Kobe and LeBron, one who, despite his political persuasions, was born in a less-than-fortunate Chicago neighborhood, went to West Point and learned from another master, Bob Knight.

I was at NC State when Duke won its first championship in 1991 and later repeated in 1992, blessed with Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley and Christian Laettner. In 2001, I knew Duke had the prowess to win it all with the likes of Carlos Boozer and Shane Battier.

Next year, Seth Curry will be able to play, as will incoming super-freshman Kyrie Irving. Hopefully, both Nolan and Kyle will choose to remain one last year. Whatever happens, 2010 was a wild ride, a fourth championship that in many ways feels more special than 1991, 1992 and 2001. They won against a superb Butler team with grit and perseverance, as well as workmanlike resilience.

As a fan, that's all one can ask for.