Dukies On The Court

Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00 Written by Freddie Brister Tuesday, 13 July 2010 01:39

History

History

When you hear Duke, you immediately think of the word "basketball". This is because they're amongst college basketballs best. A school in the top 5 all-time in victories. A team winning a national championship nearly 25% of the time when being invited to the NCAA Tournament. A team that has won just under 10 National Player of the Year awards. A school that is know for having their former players on NBA rosters. As a matter of fact, they lead all college basketball programs with current NBA players. A school that's had the same head coach for the past 30 seasons. A team that has won just under 20 regular season conference(ACC) championships. A school that has also claimed 18 post-season conference tournament titles.

Can you believe a total of 55 college All-Americans in the history? A school known for bringing in smart kids also has 14 prior Academic All-Americans which shouldn't surprise. Out of the 30 years under Mike Krzyewski, they have been to the NCAA tournament 26 of those seasons. Out of those 26 seasons, a total of 19 visits to the Sweet Sixteen as well. Duke has been a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament a whopping eleven times. Winning 30 or more games a total of eleven different times. Out of 1,015 games under Krzyewski, the won a whopping 795 of them. Only losing a grand total of 220 of those games games played. Under his reign, Duke has claimed a national title about once of every 7.5 years including the most recent 2010 campaign.

Former Duke Basketball Greats

Blue Devil fans have been watching some pretty solid basketball players over the years. Several players(9) that have claimed the award for being the best player in college basketball. From a PG nearly 60 years ago to another sharp shooting guard a short time ago. The first two came eleven years apart.

It took nearly of a century before another player won the award. It was only a short time later before the next honor. Can you believe another 3 years & another Duke Player of the Year winner. The next one though had to wait 7 more years. 2 years later when Elton Brand claimed the award for the sixth time. The seventh award went to Shane Battier & only 2 years later. The very next campaign & another award winner in Jay Williams. The ninth & final award went to J.J. Redick only 5 years ago.

Danny Ferry & Christian Laettner are the most well recognized on the lists. Ferry holds the Duke record for most points(58) scored in a game. Ferry ranks in the top 5 in a couple statistical categories in Duke history. One is points scored & the other is in rebounds. Laettner has a special place in history. He knocked down a buzzer-beating jumper against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 1992 NCAA Tournament. Laettner is an NCAA tournament record holder in numerous categories. He has a total of 407 points. He has 142 FT's made. He has 167 FT's attempted. He has played in a total of 23 tournament games. He is also the all-time Duke leader in three-point percentage. He appeared in the Final Four during all of his seasons at Duke & was a starter in all four of those too.