Don't leave home without it...
Posted Mar 26, 2005, 11:01 AM ET

So, America won't see Coach K and Duke at the Final Four in St.Louis. But that doesn't mean you have seen the last of Coach K during March Madness.

Every member of the "ABD" Club (Anybody But Duke) has complained about the ubiquitous American Express commercials featuring Caoch K that pop up at every television timeout during the tournament.

Tar Heel Nation screams that it is an unfair recruiting tool. It has nothing to do with the credit card company, but everything to do with K selling his program and his soul.

Duh...of course it is a recruiting tool. And there is no doubt that Coach K is selling himself as a "leader", but also as a basketball coach at the nation's best program.

So what's wrong with that? You mean to tell me that if Roy Williams, Tubby Smith, or Rick Pitino were asked to pimp a national product and they could gain extra exposure for their program, that they wouldn't say "yes" in a millisecond?

Of course they would. And that is the problem for everybody that hates Duke's program and Coach K's success.

Krzyzewski is ahead of the game...in fact, he's light years ahead of the game established by the NCAA and all the other college basketball programs.

By the time the NCAA comes to their senses and declares spots like K's AmEx commercials to be an unfair recruiting advantage, the coach will be onto something else.

It is exactly what happened when K took his players to Europe two years ago to play in some preseason games...Eventually, the NCAA declared that action illegal and eliminated the loophole. K was ahead of the game. It seems like he is always ahead of the game. And that is part of his greatness and genius.

The same holds true with the American Express commercial. Personally, I think it is impressive...and K does a great job selling the school, the program and his personal philosophies.

I guarantee you that if you root for a team that isn't Duke, and you see that commercial for the 33rd time during the Final Four...you'll say to yourself..."I wish our coach was doing that".

So even though Duke is at home for the Final Four...fans will still feel the presence of K and the Dookies in St.Louis and thoughout the CBS national telecasts.

Even when Duke and K lose...they win.