The Duke Blue Devils’ transformation into a blue blood program can be attributed to the arrival of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski in 1980. Under his leadership, the team experienced a culture change, becoming one of the most successful college basketball programs in the United States.
Duke’s basketball program had humble beginnings, dating back to 1910. Despite having winning seasons in the 1930s and 1940s, the Blue Devils rarely made it to the NCAA tournament. The team’s fortunes changed with Krzyzewski’s arrival, as he led Duke to its first Final Four in 1986 and won five national championships.
Duke won national championships in 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015. The team has made 18 Final Four appearances and has 121 NCAA tournament wins, the most in tournament history. Duke has also won 23 ACC tournament titles, the most in ACC history, and has been ranked number one in the AP poll for 235 weeks.
The team’s success has been fueled by a strong culture and a loyal fan base. Under Krzyzewski’s leadership, Duke became known for its consistent excellence, winning at least 10 divisional games each season and ranking among the top teams in the nation.
Today, the Duke Blue Devils continue to be a dominant force in college basketball, with a strong roster and a new generation of talented players. The team is led by head coach Jon Scheyer, who is building a new legacy at Duke. With its rich history and commitment to excellence, Duke remains one of the top programs in college basketball.