By
The Associated Press
DURHAM, N.C. - The NCAA basketball championship trophy and the team that won it returned to Durham yesterday, greeted by a crowd cheering so wildly that coach Mike Krzyzewski could only stand back and listen.
Krzyzewski finally asked the thousands of Duke students in Cameron Indoor Stadium to quiet so he could speak.
"It's obvious that somebody put something in your iced tea today!" Krzyzewski told the crowd of about 4,000 fans.
The coach went back to the Feb. 27 game against Maryland when center Carlos Boozer broke a foot. Many wrote Duke off then, Krzyzewski said.
"There were a lot of people who were happy, they thought that was it. It wasn't," he said. "It was the beginning of us becoming a great basketball team."
The Blue Devils defeated Arizona 82-72 Monday in Minneapolis to claim the NCAA championship for the third time under Krzyzewski. They also won the 1992 championship in Minneapolis.
"I'm just glad we brought the championship back where it needs to be," said guard Jason Williams.
All-American Shane Battier said the team was tired but energized by the crowd.
"You truly are the greatest fans in sports history," Battier said, adding that he and his teammates were ready to celebrate with the Duke campus.
The crowd responded with the chant, "Thank you, seniors!"
Boozer, who returned for the NCAA tournament, said the crowd was amazing. "We couldn't have gotten it down without you guys," he said.
Chris Duhon, who suffered a mild concussion in the Final Four victory over Maryland, reassured the fans that he was fine.
"In case y'all were wondering, my head is OK," he said. "We just have to thank you. This is a dream come true. You're the best crowd in the world. Hopefully, we'll be here again next year."
