Hall of Famer Krzyzewski talks the upcoming hoops campaign

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski likes this year's Blue Devils. AP

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose ninth-ranked Blue Devils open their regular season Friday against UNC-Wilmington, called in and spoke about the upcoming hoops season.

Dan asked Coach K about Syracuse's shocking 82-79 loss to Le Moyne -- a Division II school -- in last Tuesday's exhibition game at the Carrier Dome.

Krzyzewski said you can't read too much into exhibition results, no matter how bad the outcome may appear on the surface. He said coaches frequently try out things they wouldn't try if a game "counted."

"You never know what a coach is doing in an exhibition," Krzyzewski said. "Is he disciplining somebody? Is he trying out a new lineup?"

The legendary Duke coach said you really shouldn't worry too much about Syracuse's ability to bounce back from the loss.

"I think Jim really has as good a demeanor as how to bring a team along as anybody," Krzyzewski said. "He never gets really high or really low about anything."

Soon the conversation turned to Tyler Hansbrough, the former North Carolina star who Duke fans won't miss going up against.

"We're talking about one of the truly great players in the history of the ACC and therefore college basketball. Nobody played harder than that kid," Krzyzewski said.

When asked whether this year's Blue Devils can be a "great" team, Coach K hesistated. But he does believe they have what it takes to go far ... as long as they stay healthy on the perimeter.

"We have a chance to be very good," Krzyzewski said. "I like my guys a lot."