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.