Hornets coach holds bragging rights over Kon Knueppel after Duke loss

The Duke Blue Devils fell to the UConn Huskies Sunday, ending their NCAA Tournament hopes in the Elite Eight. Despite leading by 19 at one point, Jon Sheyer's team was unable to seal the deal and was ultimately outscored by 16 in the second half. The loss was also disheartening to one of Scheyer's former players, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

After Knueppel poked fun at his current teammate and former Tar Heel, Coby White, after UNC's loss to VCU, Knueppel lost bragging rights to another member of the Hornets organization. Current player-enhancement coach and former 12-year NBA veteran Kemba Walker was excited , to say the least, after finding out his alma mater (UConn) took down Duke during Sunday's game against the Celtics. A former March Madness legend in his own right, "Cardiac Kemba" hit an infamous game-winner at Madison Square Garden as the Huskies defeated Pittsburgh to advance to the Big East semifinals in 2010.

After eight seasons with the Hornets as a player, Walker has worked with the team as a coach for multiple seasons following the end of his NBA career and a brief Euro League career. With UConn's two titles in the last three seasons and another trip to the Final Four on the way, it's safe to say that the former UConn standout holds the bragging rights within the organization. However, Knueppel and the Blue Devils are hopeful to change that as they seek redemption next season.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Hornets coach holds bragging rights over Kon Knueppel after Duke loss