West Virginia player turns to Duke doctor for help

DURHAM -- Duke sports medicine's orthopedic surgery chief, Dr. Jim Nunley, sent a message this week to coach Mike Krzyzewski after treating a player the Blue Devils could meet in the Final Four.

"I'm still a Duke fan," Nunley told Krzyzewski through an intermediary.

Krzyzewski said no explanation was needed. West Virginia point guard Darryl "Truck" Bryant is trying a special insert for his shoe as he hopes to play in the Final Four on Saturday despite a fractured fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

The insert will take some of the weight off the foot, which was injured during practice on March 23. If he can play, Bryant could give West Virginia a boost against Duke in the NCAA semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Krzyzewski wasn't the least bit miffed.

"We should take care of those kids," he said. "If they come up with an orthotic or whatever, and Duke is the one [that makes it], you should do that."