(AP)

INDIANAPOLIS — Duke won its fifth men’s basketball national championship Monday night, but it remains to be seen how long the Blue Devils will hold that title in light of reports that the program is the subject of an NCAA investigation.

The NCAA is looking into accusations that Duke players were given strands of one of the nets used in the championship victory over Wisconsin. Those game-used strands would be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars on the open market, but Duke brazenly allowed its players to climb a ladder and cut pieces for themselves using golden scissors.

“Usually programs who get caught cheating are very secretive about it,” said an NCAA source. “But Duke did it out in the open on national television. Either they’re stupid or they think they’re above the rules. Neither one is acceptable.”

In addition to the strands of basketball net, Duke players were given free t-shirts and hats, each of which retails for more than $30 in stores.

“The whole package they were given is easily more than a thousand dollars,” said the coach of a rival team, who asked to remain anonymous. “I don’t see how that’s different than trading jerseys for tattoos or getting cash handshakes. We don’t do those sort of things at Wisconsin.”

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski denied any wrongdoing when confronted with the allegations.

“Any strings my players received are for educational purposes only,” insisted the coach. “They use them to tie their books together before they walk to classes.”

But Duke freshman center Jahlil Okafor seemed to imply that was not the case.

“Anybody want this stupid string?” Okafor was heard asking teammates in the postgame locker room. “I’m about to make $20 million in the NBA and they’re giving me free strings? Get outta here.”