Duke Blue Devils: A Legacy of Dominance in NCAA March Madness History

Duke's Rise to March Madness Prominence

The Duke Blue Devils' ascent to college basketball royalty began in earnest with the arrival of Mike Krzyzewski in 1980. Over 42 legendary seasons, Coach K transformed Duke into a perennial powerhouse, amassing:

• 1,129 total wins
• 101 NCAA tournament victories
• 13 Final Four appearances
• 5 national championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)

By the Numbers: Duke's Tournament Dominance

Tournament Appearances:

47 total appearances (1955-2025), including 15 No. 1 seeds

Deep Tournament Runs:

• 34 Sweet 16s
• 25 Elite Eights
• 18 Final Fours
• 6 National Championship losses

Championship Glory: Breaking Down Duke's Title Runs

1991: The Breakthrough

Road to the Title:

• Defeated defending champion UNLV in historic Final Four upset
• Christian Laettner's MVP performance (20.8 ppg)

Significance: Duke's first championship after three straight Final Four heartbreaks.

1992: Back-to-Back Majesty

Legendary Moments:

• "The Shot" by Laettner to beat Kentucky in Elite Eight
• Record 34-2 season

Lasting Impact: First repeat champion since UCLA's dynasty.

2015: The Farewell Tour

Notable Stats:

• Stingy defense (56.3 ppg allowed)
• Freshmen-led team featuring Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor

Historical Context: Coach K's fifth and final championship.

Beyond the Championships: Duke's Tournament Legacy

• Record 5 consecutive Final Fours (1988-1992)
• Produced numerous NBA stars through tournament performances
• Consistently among championship favorites for three decades

The Scheyer Era Begins

With Jon Scheyer taking over in 2022, Duke continues its tournament excellence:

• 2022 & 2025 Final Four appearances
• Maintaining blue-blood status in new coaching generation

For complete March Madness coverage, visit ESPN's NCAA Tournament Hub.