Charles Barkley has advice for Coach K

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Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski might not be looking for coaching advice from Charles Barkley, but he got some anyway.

Barkley made his debut as a college basketball analyst Tuesday night during truTV’s broadcast of two ‘First Four’ NCAA tournament games. In commenting on the news that Blue Devil freshman guard Kyrie Irving, who has missed much of the season with a toe injury, was cleared to play, Barkley said: ‘It puts Coach Krzyzewski in an awkward situation. You have to bring him off the bench, that’s not even a question. You don’t know what you’re going to get. They’re on a roll, they’re the No. 1 seed, but I wouldn’t play him more than 10 minutes a game. He’s coming off the bench and I don’t think you can join the race in the middle.’

For you USC fans, Barkley offers some hope. He thinks the teams slotted into the ‘First Four’ games might be playing angry and that the winners will head in to their second game with a purpose.

‘These teams feel a little bit insulted,’ Barkley said, ‘so they’ve got a chip on their shoulder. That’s going to help them get ready for the next game. Even though there’s a quick turnaround, an angry team has a good chance.’

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-- Diane Pucin

Left photo: Mike Krzyzewski. Credit: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

Right photo: Charles Barkley. Credit: Cary Edmondson / US Presswire