Scheyer, Blue Devils apologize to fans after home loss to UNC

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Duke coach Jon Scheyer apologized to students after the Blue Devils' 84-79 loss to rival North Carolina.

Duke never led in the contest, though it cut a 15-point deficit to 1 and made it a one-possession game in the final minute.

"I'm sorry," Scheyer told the students, according to reporters seated courtside. "We're gonna keep going. We're going to get this right."

The No. 9 Blue Devils finished the regular season 24-7 and 15-5 in the ACC, good for second in the league. They were 15-3 at home with losses to UNC, Arizona and Pittsburgh.

Scheyer is a former Duke player and assistant coach in his second season as the head coach. Duke students camp out for weeks in the winter to claim basketball tickets. The "Cameron Crazies," as the student fans are known, provide Duke with one of the best homecourt environments in college basketball.

"We need to apologize to the fans, to the people who camped out and supported us all season," Duke freshman Jared McCain said. "I'm super thankful for them. To play in this environment is the best. It's the best in the world. I’m so thankful to come out in home games and have them each and every game. I just feel terrible."

After the game, Cormac Ryan (31 points for UNC) and the Tar Heel team pointed and waved at the Duke fans and celebrated in front of them, leading some students to throw water and ice onto the court.

Scheyer walked over and even grabbed the hands of a few students as he spoke to them.

"I just want to connect with the students," Scheyer said. "They're amazing. They're incredible."