Who Doesn't Love Lists? Coach K's Top Wins and Toughest Losses at Duke

[Nugget]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

[duke4ever19]

That's a pretty impressive list you've compiled. My props to you.

As we get farther down the list it's harder to judge the proper order of the games. Somehow I can see the 1992 Duke-UK matchup moving up or down a slot depending on how you view it's affect on the public's perception of Duke and the fact that "the shot" is played without end.

Your last criteria was how well Duke played in the game. I don't recall a more fantastic display of college basketball than that game. Laettner was perfect from the floor if I remember correctly. Also, in the public's consciousness, that might be the most well known game. Yes, it wasn't the championship game, but I'm willing to overlook that one:)

[Faustus]

I would put #11 in bold print myself. Younger fans may not realize how important that game was. Perhaps the "break-through win" of K's Duke program sending it on to stratospheric heights. But first you had to beat Dean Smith and UNC, and in a game that mattered in the local neighborhood. Older fans like myself will maybe remember marvelling at the time that, at last, we had players who were as talented, as quick to the ball, and fought as hard as vaunted UNC. It was a revolutionary game in my mind for Duke. Doesn't matter that Duke couldn't quite pull off the championship game the next day. We still knew we had finally gotten back to the Big Time. The rest... is history. Thanks again. Coach, and all the players through these years (thanks for the thread, too)

[Johnboy]

I would put #11 in bold print myself. Younger fans may not realize how important that game was. Perhaps the "break-through win" of K's Duke program sending it on to stratospheric heights. But first you had to beat Dean Smith and UNC, and in a game that mattered in the local neighborhood. Older fans like myself will maybe remember marvelling at the time that, at last, we had players who were as talented, as quick to the ball, and fought as hard as vaunted UNC. It was a revolutionary game in my mind for Duke. Doesn't matter that Duke couldn't quite pull off the championship game the next day. We still knew we had finally gotten back to the Big Time. The rest... is history. Thanks again. Coach, and all the players through these years (thanks for the thread, too)

Game #1 and Game #11 were the games I went looking for on the list. You said it very well regarding Game #11. I wonder if we'd have gotten Danny Ferry without that win, and without Ferry as a freshman, I don't think we win 37 games in 1986 (but we still would have been very good) or go to all those final fours.

Game #1 was where it seemed like we'd finally gotten the monkey off our backs, even though it wasn't the final game. Biggest shot in Duke's history, for me anyway, was Bobby hitting that three.

[Nugget]

I would put #11 in bold print myself. Younger fans may not realize how important that game was. Perhaps the "break-through win" of K's Duke program sending it on to stratospheric heights. But first you had to beat Dean Smith and UNC, and in a game that mattered in the local neighborhood. Older fans like myself will maybe remember marvelling at the time that, at last, we had players who were as talented, as quick to the ball, and fought as hard as vaunted UNC. It was a revolutionary game in my mind for Duke. Doesn't matter that Duke couldn't quite pull off the championship game the next day. We still knew we had finally gotten back to the Big Time. The rest... is history. Thanks again. Coach, and all the players through these years (thanks for the thread, too)


I think you guys are right and I've undervalued that game. It's got to be in the top 5.

While the 1992 Kentucky game is righly lauded for all the reasons everyone knows, I can't quite put it at the top of the list given that (i) we were a very large favorite in that game, (ii) we turned it over repeatedly and allowed Kentucky to shoot 57% for the game, and (iii) blew a double-digit second half lead.

[johnb]

I should forward your list to friends who think I spend too much time following the team. Hats off.

I think I agree with your placing the championship games just under the heart-stopping games that came just before, though of course the Vegas and KY games wouldn't have been as meaningful if we'd then lost the championship.

I might put the Temple game a bit higher (King shutting down Macon, etc), though that's probably because it was one of the few games on the list that I attended, and I distinctly recall feeling uncharacteristically pessimistic going into the game. The rest of the list I'll let wash over me like a sunny day.

[sagegrouse]

I may have missed it, but the 1999 Final Four win over Michigan State in St. Pete deserves to be somewhere on the list.

sagegrouse

[arnie]

Game #1 was where it seemed like we'd finally gotten the monkey off our backs, even though it wasn't the final game. Biggest shot in Duke's history, for me anyway, was Bobby hitting that three.

Brian Davis with the 3-point play was also huge near the end - I was always on his case it seemed until that play. Then I had to promise the kids only high praises for Davis - had to stick with that for a whole nother year.

[brevity]

I think you guys are right and I've undervalued that game. It's got to be in the top 5.

You ranked it as the highest game that wasn't in the NCAA Tournament, and (by extension) the most important Duke-UNC game of the Coach K era. That's plenty of praise.

I like the list and, surprisingly, the comments. Usually these kinds of Internet board endeavors have a original post that requires hours of research followed by petty replies that are a few seconds of lazy, dismissive criticism.

[madscavenger]

Coach K's most important, and therefore Top, win was signing Johnny Dawkins. If you haven't been around that long, Jim Sumner will tell you why.

Tack me onto the its a great list list. Reposting during the off season would generate some unbelieveable, and extensive, reminiscing. Hats off.

[Faustus]

And to be honest, I can't even remember any individual details of the Duke-Carolina ACC game (#11 on the menu) now, except, oddly, late in the going Michael Jordan not being able to keep a bouncing ball from going out of bounds. I can remember LOTS of #1, however, and certainly Hurley's 3 where he doesn't even hesitate to let that thing go when a late momentum changer was so so needed. YES!

No complaints about the ordering at all, just wanted to put in a plug for #11. This is a fabulous list.

[tbyers11]

Love the list. Thanks for the effort. Obviously, NCAA tourney and ACC tourney games rank high on the list. I thought it was interesting to look at your top 10 regular season games.

(14) @UNC 2001 (95-81) [After Boozer's foot injury and "it's over". Starting Duhon for Nate. Shane just run around defense. Shane's out of nowhere block on Forte's breakaway]
(15) UNC 1998 (77-75) [17 point 2nd half comeback. Coach K's 500th win. My favorite game during my ugrad years. Loudest I have ever heard the place when Cota, then Haywood, shot FTs]
(18) UNC 1986 (82-74) [Clinch first ACC regular season title under K by beating arch rival]
(23) Michigan 1992-93 (79-68) [Fab Five comes in talking trash and vowing revenge for Nat Champ loss and leaves with tail between legs]
(25) UNC 1997 (80-73) [Getting the UNC monkey off our backs after losing 7 in a row]
(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot) [Gone in 54 seconds. 'Nuff said]
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67) [Taking care of Shaq on the road without an injured Hurley]
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77) [First reg season win against UNC for K since the Gene Banks game. Showed we could play with UNC all the time]
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68) [I admit I was looking to see how much importance you gave this game and agree that it should be this high. Went to the Joel and beat #2 Wake with Carrawell guarding Duncan most of the game. After 95 and 96 seasons it felt like we could beat anyone in the country again]
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70) [Shaq part I, Laettner handles Shaq with relative ease]

I think it is much more difficult to sift back through regular season games and rank them but you did a really solid job. The only game that I might have moved up into these ten would have been the Maui champ victory over #1 Arizona (41). Wojo shut down Bibby and we saw exactly how good the Battier, Brand, Avery class was and that we were legit national title contenders again.

Again great list. I think discussion and dissection of this can keep us all busy until the UNC-G game.

[CEF1959]

I have nothing to say except that's one heck of a research project the OP took on. Nice work.

[Nugget]

[The only game that I might have moved up into these ten would have been the Maui champ victory over #1 Arizona (41). Wojo shut down Bibby and we saw exactly how good the Battier, Brand, Avery class was and that we were legit national title contenders again.]

A fair point. I probably "overrated" the 1991 LSU game (31), the 1989 game at Carolina (36), the 1990 Arizona game (36) and the 1988 Carolina game (40) because of my personal bias having attended those games.

The win against Arizona at Maui in 97 was fantastic for all the reasons you mentioned.

I did leave out the 1999 Final Four game against Michigan St. for several reasons. One, I remember almost nothing from that game except it was a slog-fest. Two, I don't feel nearly as much affection for that team as I should, in part because I think they bought their own hype a little bit and because of what happened after the 99 Final Fourt, with the Corey/Piggie revelations and all the guys leaving early.

Thanks for all the comments. It was fun to think about on a quiet weekend.

[uh_no]

I put the 2010 win above either of the the 92 or 01 championships....maybe higher....if coach K had never gotten a fourth title, we're not talking about him right now as the GOAT, and what he did with the group of players he had....no one expected us to win.....I tihnk this has to be one of the top 3 games in duke history...along with the UK game and the UNLV game

[Reilly]

Impressive compilation. Of the top 10, four were decided by: 1 (OT), 1 (OT), 2, and 2 points. And three of those four games were in national championship years. Really drives home K's quote that to be a champion a team has to be "good ... and lucky." It's really been an embarrassment of riches.

[OldPhiKap]

(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)


Great list Nugget, and I agree that you should repost this at the end of the season when we have some more time to reflect.

I'd like to highlight #16, and suggest it should be higer. This is the first big-time NCAA tourney game in which we were supposed to lose. Big underdogs to Marc Macon. John Chaney was an institution, getting his players up at something crazy like 5:30 in the morning to practice. Bill Cosby raised the stakes (the most popular man on television at the time) by making a bet that he'd wear a Duke sweatshirt on his show if we beat them. Billy King's biggest moment.

K established that he could win the big tourney games even when he wasn't the favorite. We had a great steak of regional wins after this as well.

Instrumental in launching K from good up-and-comer to real-deal.

[1 24 90]

#86 is very special to me as I always say it was the night I fell in love with Duke basketball and the date of the game is my screen name. Thanks for including it.

[Son of Mojo]

Not sure where it could/should be placed but an important game for Coach and the '92 team was down at Clemson where we were behind most of the game and coach pulled all the starters except for B. Davis since he was the only one playing well. The bench responded by keeping us in the game and Coach got through to the remaining starters to get back on the court and take care of business. I remember not being able to watch it (either it wasn't televised or it just wasn't on around here) and had to sit out in the car, in the cold, and listen to it on the radio.

[diveonthefloor]

Great work!

I think I might put the 1981 UNC-Duke win closer to the top of the regular season wins you listed. This game proved K's X's-O's genius, and gave him enough "cred" with the administration to weather the next very lean year...allowing him to bridge the gap until he landed the famous 1982 high school recruiting class.

[JasonEvans]

Just so everyone knows, the guy who came up with this list, Nugget, has been a poster on DBR for well over a decade. He does not post nearly as often now as he did back in the days, but he always brings great content and thoughtful analysis to his posts. He is one of the folks who made this place the somewhat unique place that it is and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

His list is amazing. The obvious product of a lot of thought and research. There may be no post in recent DBR history that deserves pitchfork points the way this one does.

-Jason "mad props, Nug!" Evans

[UrinalCake]

Glad to see #96 on the list, our victory over UCLA in 1996. The 95-96 season was K's first after the infamous back surgery, and the program was rebuilding. The epic run of Final Fours was over, and some questioned whether Duke would return to being an elite program or if Coach K was done. UCLA was the defending National Championships, and we were somewhat on the bubble of even making the tournament, until we thoroughly dismantled them. Though the season would end in a disappointing first-round NCAA loss, that team laid the groundwork for Coach K and Duke's return to prominence.

[hq2]

1. UNLV '91.

2. Carolina '84 ACC tournament

3. Kentucky '92

4. Butler '10

5. Carolina '81 (most emotional)

6. Georgetown '89

7. Carolina ACC tournament '88 (triple crown year)

8. Maryland Final Four '01 (came from 22 down in the first half)

9. Temple '88

10. Carolina '86 (first outright conference championship in 20 years)

[superdave]

Besides the obvious games, the 1989 win over Gtown and the 1984 win over Unc seem to get the most buzz around this board.

Here's hoping the next 6-7 years yield some W's that bump some of Nugget's top 10 down the list a little!

[Tom B.]

No love for the December 2005 home game against Virginia Tech (Dockery wins it with a bomb from halfcourt)?

Or the February 1997 game at UVa (a.k.a. the Rick Hartzell game -- Duke wins 62-61 when Wojo sinks two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining, after having to wait 10 minutes while the refs sorted out their substitution screwup and the clock situation)?

Or the January 1991 game at Georgia Tech (Duke wins 77-75 on a Thomas Hill putback with one second left)?

Actually, I think I can understand leaving off the first two. While both were memorable games, they were closer than they should have been and Duke was, frankly, lucky to beat an inferior team in both cases. But I think the third one warrants inclusion -- Duke won a tight, hard-fought battle against a ranked team on the opponent's home floor.

[Tom B.]

No love for the December 2005 home game against Virginia Tech (Dockery wins it with a bomb from halfcourt)?

Or the February 1997 game at UVa (a.k.a. the Rick Hartzell game -- Duke wins 62-61 when Wojo sinks two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining, after having to wait 10 minutes while the refs sorted out their substitution screwup and the clock situation)?

Or the January 1991 game at Georgia Tech (Duke wins 77-75 on a Thomas Hill putback with one second left)?

Actually, I think I can understand leaving off the first two. While both were memorable games, they were closer than they should have been and Duke was, frankly, lucky to beat an inferior team in both cases. But I think the third one warrants inclusion -- Duke won a tight, hard-fought battle against a ranked team on the opponent's home floor.


Replying to myself.... I just thought of one more:

The 120-84 destruction of UCLA in Cameron in February of 1998.

That was just one of the most incredibly fun games to watch in Cameron. UCLA's center, Jelani McCoy, had left the team for unspecified reasons, but everyone knew he'd been busted for marijuana use. The Crazies were in rare form, waving marijuana leaves cut out of green construction paper and a huge, four-foot long joint at the UCLA players while chanting, "Where's Jelani?" With memories of UCLA running up the score against Duke in 1995 perhaps still fresh, Trajan Langdon went for 34, Roshown McLeod scored 23, Elton Brand added 14 in his first game back from a broken foot, and the 120 points that Duke hung on the Bruins was the highest point total ever scored against UCLA. And it's not like UCLA sucked -- they were ranked #12 at the time. That was the end of the Duke-UCLA series (contrary to popular belief, the series didn't end because of that game -- Steve Lavin had already decided not to continue it, presumably because he was tired of watching Duke beat UCLA out for SoCal recruits -- but it was a fitting end nonetheless).

[Indoor66]

How about Duke - UCLA in Duke Indoor Stadium 12/10/65 - 82-66 and then at the old Charlotte Coliseum on Independence - Duke wallops them again 94-75 - the year after the year we lost to them in the Final Four! I loved both of those games.

[gam7]

How about Duke - UCLA in Duke Indoor Stadium 12/10/65 - 82-66 and then at the old Charlotte Coliseum on Independence - Duke wallops them again 94-75 - the year after the year we lost to them in the Final Four! I loved both of those games.

These may have been great wins, but they were not during Coach K's Duke career so can't be included on this list.

I agree with the poster who said that the 1999 Duke-Michigan State Final Four game belongs on the list. Very, very tough, physical game.

Also, I thought about the Dockery VA Tech game, but based on the criteria the original poster used, I don't think it should be included.

[Faustus]

I inadvertantly broke my glasses celebrating by the tv after that Thomas Hill/GT 1991 game mentioned above.

[Monmouth77]

Amazing list that brings back a childhood full of memories. I have one small nit though.

The 2004 Regional Final win over Xavier cannot be all the way down at #60. Though it ranks low as to criteria (iii) and (iv) -- Xavier was not the toughest opponent and Duke really struggled to win -- the value to Coach K's career (his 10th Final Four) and the value of the game (Regional Final) have to bump this up into the 20s at least.

That 2004 team (Duhon, Ewing, Redick, Deng, S. Williams) would have, could have and should have won Coach K's 4th Title if not for the absolutely awful one point National Semifinal loss to UConn and Emeka Okafor. That game -- in which 5 Duke players fouled out-- has to be high on any list of the most heartbreaking Duke losses, which would also be an interesting list. If Duke wins, only a Georgia Tech team it had beaten twice already that year stands between K and what would have been a fourth National Championship.

[sagegrouse]

I inadvertantly broke my glasses celebrating by the tv after that Thomas Hill/GT 1991 game mentioned above.

One I remember yelling about was the Ricky Price 3-pointer that beat Maryland at the buzzer in 1996 at College Park. Duke had the ball with a very few seconds left under the Maryland basket. The unrecruited Stan Brunson got to throw it in. ("You're the senior," said K.) He passed to Wojo who was double or triple-teamed, and he got it to Ricky in the corner for the unexpected win. I yelled and yelled and yelled.

The one I remember getting a sore throat after was Christian's winning shot in the Regionals against UConn in 1990. I got on my 12th floor balcony and screeamed at the top of my lungs. I went to work on Monday and my partner's brother knew of an extra ticket to the Final Four, so I got to be in McNichols ("Toughest Ticket Ever," said the souvenir hats). McNichols seated only about 16,000 IIRC. It was my first of five FFs.

I am sure I was just as excited by "The Shot," but I was watching it with family, and my voice survived the miracle.

I missed the Dockery shot but got home in time to hear the Sports Center announcer intone, "Another milestone took place tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium."

Fond memories.

sagegrouse

[Nugget]

Thanks for the additional suggestions -- I'll play around with some modifications.

It is astounding to me how hard it is to limit a list of Coach K's top wins to "only" 100.

[Reilly]

.... It is astounding to me how hard it is to limit a list of Coach K's top wins to "only" 100.

... which is why all are looking forward to your full 1-879 ranking when it comes out ...

[rasputin]

... which is why all are looking forward to your full 1-879 ranking when it comes out ...

I'm looking forward to the full ranking of 1 to 1000.

[hurleyfor3]

Just so everyone knows, the guy who came up with this list, Nugget, has been a poster on DBR for well over a decade. He does not post nearly as often now as he did back in the days

How could he post, he was spending all that time coming up with this list.

Seriously, I have no major complaints, although I would rank the 1991 title game a bit lower. But that top 10... any of those would be #1 for a lot of other coaches out there.

Well done.

[Duvall]

That 2004 team (Duhon, Ewing, Redick, Deng, S. Williams) would have, could have and should have won Coach K's 4th Title if not for the absolutely awful one point National Semifinal loss to UConn and Emeka Okafor. That game -- in which 5 Duke players fouled out-- has to be high on any list of the most heartbreaking Duke losses, which would also be an interesting list.

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!

(1) Louisville, 1986 National Championship (69-72)
(2) UConn, 1999 National Championship (74-77)
(3) UNLV, 1990 National Championship (73-103)
(4) Wagner 1982-1983 (77-84)
(5) Virginia, 1983 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal (66-109)
(6) Kentucky, 1998 South Regional (84-86)
(7) UConn, 2004 NCAA Final Four (78-79)
(8) LSU, 2006 Atlanta Regional Semifinal (54-62)
(9) Indiana, 2002 South Regional Semifinal (73-74)
(10) Seton Hall, 1989 NCAA Final Four (78-95)
(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)
(12) California, 1993 NCAA Round of 32 (77-82)
(13) North Carolina, 1990 (75-87)
(14) @North Carolina, 1990 (60-79)
(15) North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (74-77)
(16) VCU, 2007 NCAA Round of 64 (77-79)
(17) North Carolina, 2009 (87-101)
(18) Michigan, 1996-1997 (61-62)
(19) Maryland, 2001 (80-91)
(20) North Carolina, 1995 (100-102)
(21) Virginia, 1995 (88-91)
(22) Maryland, 2004 ACC Tournament Final (87-95)
(23) @Clemson, 2009 (47-74)
(24) @Georgetown, 2010 (77-89)
(25) Villanova, 2009 NCAA East Regional Semifinal (54-77)

[Orange&BlackSheep]

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!

(1) Louisville, 1986 National Championship (69-72)
(2) UConn, 1999 National Championship (74-77)
(3) UNLV, 1990 National Championship (73-103)
(4) Wagner 1982-1983 (77-84)
(5) Virginia, 1983 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal (66-109)
(6) Kentucky, 1998 South Regional (84-86)
(7) UConn, 2004 NCAA Final Four (78-79)
(8) LSU, 2006 Atlanta Regional Semifinal (54-62)
(9) Indiana, 2002 South Regional Semifinal (73-74)
(10) Seton Hall, 1989 NCAA Final Four (78-95)
(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)
(12) California, 1993 NCAA Round of 32 (77-82)
(13) North Carolina, 1990 (75-87)
(14) @North Carolina, 1990 (60-79)
(15) North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (74-77)
(16) VCU, 2007 NCAA Round of 64 (77-79)
(17) North Carolina, 2009 (87-101)
(18) Michigan, 1996-1997 (61-62)
(19) Maryland, 2001 (80-91)
(20) North Carolina, 1995 (100-102)
(21) Virginia, 1995 (88-91)
(22) Maryland, 2004 ACC Tournament Final (87-95)
(23) @Clemson, 2009 (47-74)
(24) @Georgetown, 2010 (77-89)
(25) Villanova, 2009 NCAA East Regional Semifinal (54-77)

UNC-Duke 2005 75-73 after Melch hits two 3's to put Duke up 73-64 with three minutes or so remaining. Ol Roy's first win against Duke as coach of Kerlina.

Frankly, I am surprised that this list does not have more Carolina defeats other than the fact that they are all regular season and so miss out on the finality of a tournament defeat.

Also I think the '90 UNLV game was way easier to swallow than many you have on the list. #6,8,9 specifically for me.

[hurleyfor3]

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!


I'd make room for Arkansas '94, Florida 2000 and WVU 2008. Definitely them over either of the 1990 Carolina games. (And 1990 was my freshman year, so if you included them because you were there, so was I.) I'd put @unc in 1992 over either of the 1990 games as well.

My personal worst was the '98 regional final, but I'll save the exegesis on that for another thread. The Unlv blowout was a sign it wasn't meant to be that year, and UConn in '99 was better prepared than we were.

[sagegrouse]

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!

(1) Louisville, 1986 National Championship (69-72)
(2) UConn, 1999 National Championship (74-77)
(3) UNLV, 1990 National Championship (73-103)
(4) Wagner 1982-1983 (77-84)
(5) Virginia, 1983 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal (66-109)
(6) Kentucky, 1998 South Regional (84-86)
(7) UConn, 2004 NCAA Final Four (78-79)
(8) LSU, 2006 Atlanta Regional Semifinal (54-62)
(9) Indiana, 2002 South Regional Semifinal (73-74)
(10) Seton Hall, 1989 NCAA Final Four (78-95)
(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)
(12) California, 1993 NCAA Round of 32 (77-82)
(13) North Carolina, 1990 (75-87)
(14) @North Carolina, 1990 (60-79)
(15) North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (74-77)
(16) VCU, 2007 NCAA Round of 64 (77-79)
(17) North Carolina, 2009 (87-101)
(18) Michigan, 1996-1997 (61-62)
(19) Maryland, 2001 (80-91)
(20) North Carolina, 1995 (100-102)
(21) Virginia, 1995 (88-91)
(22) Maryland, 2004 ACC Tournament Final (87-95)
(23) @Clemson, 2009 (47-74)
(24) @Georgetown, 2010 (77-89)
(25) Villanova, 2009 NCAA East Regional Semifinal (54-77)

It ain't a bad loss unless (a) it means something and (b) you had some hope of winning. That said, I would take Wagner and UVa in 1983 (I was there) off the list totally. I would downgrade the UNLV loss to about #20 (I was also there) -- we had no realistic chance of winning plus Hurley was sick.

I would make the UConn loss in 2004 in the top three. It was a horribly officiated game for both sides, but the refs refused to call a full-body slam by two Huskies, including Okafor, against JJ on a drive with Duke down by two points at the end. Moreover, Duke also had a 7-8 point lead in the last three minutes. That one will hurt forever.

And where's the Arkansas loss in the 1994 finals? Should be #4. Duke had a ten-point lead with seven minutes left. Then at the end with the score tied, Duke had Arkansas totally under wraps until the Scotty Thurman - Lang madness gave Arkansas an open shot. This one felt like a win that was jerked away from us.

The Indiana loss is probably the worst of the non-FF games IMHO (where the H is characteristically silent).

Thanks for tackling this ugly job --

sagegrouse

[turnandburn55]

2000 against Florida might also fit in there. Watching C-Well break down as Coach K took him off the court.

[1 24 90]

I'd make room for Arkansas '94, Florida 2000 and WVU 2008. Definitely them over either of the 1990 Carolina games. (And 1990 was my freshman year, so if you included them because you were there, so was I.) I'd put @unc in 1992 over either of the 1990 games as well.

My personal worst was the '98 regional final, but I'll save the exegesis on that for another thread. The Unlv blowout was a sign it wasn't meant to be that year, and UConn in '99 was better prepared than we were.

Totally agree on the 98 regional final. I was numb for about 2 days. Still depressing.

[gam7]

I have taken life lessons from the Uconn '99 game.

One of the toughest regular season losses I remember (probably because I was there) was the Stanford loss in the Pete Newell Classic during the 2000-01 season. Casey Jacobsen buzzer beater, Tiger Woods and yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang in courtside seats jumping around and high fiving like 5 year olds...

http://www.ibabuzz.com/beartalk/2010/12/20/basketball-ten-years-after-a-newell-classic

[-jk]

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!

(1) Louisville, 1986 National Championship (69-72)
(2) UConn, 1999 National Championship (74-77)
(3) UNLV, 1990 National Championship (73-103)
(4) Wagner 1982-1983 (77-84)
(5) Virginia, 1983 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal (66-109)
(6) Kentucky, 1998 South Regional (84-86)
(7) UConn, 2004 NCAA Final Four (78-79)
(8) LSU, 2006 Atlanta Regional Semifinal (54-62)
(9) Indiana, 2002 South Regional Semifinal (73-74)
(10) Seton Hall, 1989 NCAA Final Four (78-95)
(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)
(12) California, 1993 NCAA Round of 32 (77-82)
(13) North Carolina, 1990 (75-87)
(14) @North Carolina, 1990 (60-79)
(15) North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (74-77)
(16) VCU, 2007 NCAA Round of 64 (77-79)
(17) North Carolina, 2009 (87-101)
(18) Michigan, 1996-1997 (61-62)
(19) Maryland, 2001 (80-91)
(20) North Carolina, 1995 (100-102)
(21) Virginia, 1995 (88-91)
(22) Maryland, 2004 ACC Tournament Final (87-95)
(23) @Clemson, 2009 (47-74)
(24) @Georgetown, 2010 (77-89)
(25) Villanova, 2009 NCAA East Regional Semifinal (54-77)

You are evil, Duvall. Evil!

I know I attended 22 of those. And maybe 23 or 24 - I might have made it to the '04 ACC or UNC in '90, but I'm afraid I just don't recall; senility seems to be setting in and they've all blurred.

I do know I didn't make it to Little John in '09. (I was there in '95, though, when their tiger mascot tried to serve us a box of doughnuts. Grrr. This board's namesake was roundly booed when she knocked them out of his hands, though - a very small victory. I despise Little John almost as much as Comcast.)

I almost got in a fight with a(n overly aggressive) cameraman at the end of your #1 - which would have been my #1 were I masochistic enough to put together such a list. "Don't point your camera at me... Don't touch my camera..." Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

At least the losses do make the wins all the sweeter.

-jk

[Nugget]

A first cut at the 25 most gut-wrenching losses of the Krzyzewski era. Happy Christmas!

(1) Louisville, 1986 National Championship (69-72)
(2) UConn, 1999 National Championship (74-77)
(3) UNLV, 1990 National Championship (73-103)
(4) Wagner 1982-1983 (77-84)
(5) Virginia, 1983 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal (66-109)
(6) Kentucky, 1998 South Regional (84-86)
(7) UConn, 2004 NCAA Final Four (78-79)
(8) LSU, 2006 Atlanta Regional Semifinal (54-62)
(9) Indiana, 2002 South Regional Semifinal (73-74)
(10) Seton Hall, 1989 NCAA Final Four (78-95)
(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)
(12) California, 1993 NCAA Round of 32 (77-82)
(13) North Carolina, 1990 (75-87)
(14) @North Carolina, 1990 (60-79)
(15) North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (74-77)
(16) VCU, 2007 NCAA Round of 64 (77-79)
(17) North Carolina, 2009 (87-101)
(18) Michigan, 1996-1997 (61-62)
(19) Maryland, 2001 (80-91)
(20) North Carolina, 1995 (100-102)
(21) Virginia, 1995 (88-91)
(22) Maryland, 2004 ACC Tournament Final (87-95)
(23) @Clemson, 2009 (47-74)
(24) @Georgetown, 2010 (77-89)
(25) Villanova, 2009 NCAA East Regional Semifinal (54-77)


I agree with the comments that Arkansas 1994 and Florida 2000 are major omissions from Duvall’s list. I have both of those in my worst 10.

I also found U.Conn 1999 (a little) and UNLV 1990 (much) easier to live with than Duvall.

I share the comments that the 1990 Carolina losses were not as tough (it was my junior year so they bugged me greatly, but in hindsight were much easier to take than the losses on Senior Day for JJ/Shelden in 2006 and Grant in 1994).

A couple of other games that killed me but others haven’t mentioned yet were:

Cal 1993 – Hurley’s last game
LSU 2006 – JJ and Shelden’s last game
North Carolina 1989 ACC Final – a brutal war at the height of Dean/K rivalry
@ North Carolina 1984 – Devastating, though soothed by the game a week later.
Maryland, 2000 – broke 46 game Cameron win streak, on C-Well’s Senior Day.
North Carolina, 1991 ACC Final – I overrate it as it was my senior year.


Here's my full list. I was having so much fun with the "festival of pain" I went to 50+


50 toughest Duke losses under Coach K

(1) 1986 - Louisville, National Championship (72-69)
(2) 1994 - Arkansas, National Championship (76-72)
(3) 1998 - Kentucky, NCAA South Regional (86-84)
(4) 2002 - Indiana, Sweet Sixteen (74-73)
(5) 1993 - California, NCAA 2nd Round (82-77)
(6) 1999 - U.Conn, National Championship (77-74)
(7) 2000 - Florida, Sweet Sixteen (87-78)
(8) 2004 - U.Conn, NCAA Final Four (79-78)
(9) 1989 - Seton Hall, NCAA Final Four (87-75)
(10) 2006 - LSU, NCAA Sweet Sixteen (62-54)

(11) 1989 - North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (77-74)
(12) 2001 - Maryland (91-80) (“It’s Over”)
(13) 1984 - @ North Carolina (96-83) (2ot)
(14) 1995 - North Carolina (102-100) (2ot)
(15) 1988 - Kansas, NCAA Final Four (66-59)
(16) 2006 - North Carolina (83-76)
(17) 1990 - UNLV, National Championship (103-73)
(18) 2009 - Villanova, NCAA Sweet Sixteen (77-54)
(19) 2007 - VCU, NCAA 1st Round (79-77)
(20) 1991 - North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (96-74)
(21) 1992 - @ North Carolina (75-73)
(22) 2005 - Michigan St., NCAA Sweet Sixteen (78-68)
(23) 1995 - Virginia (91-88) (2ot)
(24) 1994 - North Carolina (87-77)
(25) 2008 - West Virginia, NCAA 2nd Round (73-67)

(26) 1989 - North Carolina (91-71)
(27) 1997 - Providence, NCAA 2nd Round (98-87)
(28) 2001 - North Carolina (85-83)
(29) 2000 - Maryland (98-87)
(30) 1996 - @ North Carolina (73-72)
(31) 2004 - Maryland, ACC Tournament Final (95-87) (ot)
(32) 1990 - North Carolina (87-75)
(33) 1994 - Wake Forest (69-68)
(34) 1983 - Virginia, ACC Tournament 1st Round (109-66)
(35) 2009 - @ Clemson (74-47)
(36) 2005 - @ North Carolina (75-73)
(37) 1995 - Wake Forest (62-61)
(38) 1990 - @ North Carolina (79-60)
(39) 2002 - @ Maryland (87-73)
(40) 1993 - Georgia Tech, ACC Tournament 1st Round (69-66)
(41) 1985 - Boston College, NCAA 2nd Round (74-73)
(42) 2010 - @ Georgetown (89-77)
(43) 1996-1997 - Michigan (62-61)
(44) 1986 - @ North Carolina (95-92)
(45) 1999-2000 - Stanford and U.Conn, Pre-Season NIT (80-75 and 71-66)
(46) 1989 - Arizona (@ Meadowlands) (77-75)
(47) 1996 - Eastern Michigan, NCAA 1st Round (75-60)
(48) 1998-1999 - Cincinnati (Great Alaska Shootout) (77-75)
(49) 1988 - N.C. State (77-74)
(50) 2000 - St. John’s (83-82)



(Dis)-honorable mention:
1983 - Wagner (84-77)
1984 - Washington, NCAA 1st Round (80-78)
1987 - @ Notre Dame (70-66)
1987-1988 - @ Arizona (91-85)
1988 - Maryland (72-69)
1990 - Georgia Tech, ACC Tournament Semis (83-72)
1991 - @ Virginia (81-64)
1994 - Virginia, ACC Tournament 1st Round (66-61)
1994-1995 - U. Conn, @ Detroit (90-86)
1995 - Maryland (94-92)
1995 - @ UCLA (100-77)
1995 - Wake Forest, ACC Tournament 2nd Round (87-70)
1997 - N.C. State, ACC Tournament 1st Round (66-60)
2001 - @ Virginia (91-89)
2000-2001 - Stanford (at Oakland) (84-83)
2002 - @ Florida St. (77-76)
2002 - @ Virginia (87-84)
2003 - @ St. John’s (72-71)
2006 - @ Florida St. (79-74)
2007 - Va Tech (69-67)
2007 - Florida St. (68-67)
2010 - @ N. C. State (88-74)

[snowdenscold]

UNC-Duke 2005 75-73 after Melch hits two 3's to put Duke up 73-64 with three minutes or so remaining. Ol Roy's first win against Duke as coach of Kerlina.

Was that the one where all we had to do was hope they made their second free throw, or rebound it if they didn't? And the worst happens where they miss the 2nd but Marvin Williams got the rebound and putback (turning 2 foul shots into a 3 point play). Because if so, yes, that was painful.

And UConn 2004 needs to be higher.

Here's to hoping this list (or whatever modifications need to be made) never changes!

[gam7]

I agree with the comments that Arkansas 1994 and Florida 2000 are major omissions from Duvall’s list. I have both of those in my worst 10.

I also found U.Conn 1999 (a little) and UNLV 1990 (much) easier to live with than Duvall.

I share the comments that the 1990 Carolina losses were not as tough (it was my junior year so they bugged me greatly, but in hindsight were much easier to take than the losses on Senior Day for JJ/Shelden in 2006 and Grant in 1994).

A couple of other games that killed me but others haven’t mentioned yet were:

Cal 1993 – Hurley’s last game
LSU 2006 – JJ and Shelden’s last game
North Carolina 1989 ACC Final – a brutal war at the height of Dean/K rivalry
@ North Carolina 1984 – Devastating, though soothed by the game a week later.
Maryland, 2000 – broke 46 game Cameron win streak, on C-Well’s Senior Day.
North Carolina, 1991 ACC Final – I overrate it as it was my senior year.


Here's my full list. I was having so much fun with the "festival of pain" I went to 50+


50 toughest Duke losses under Coach K

(1) 1986 - Louisville, National Championship (72-69)
(2) 1994 - Arkansas, National Championship (76-72)
(3) 1998 - Kentucky, NCAA South Regional (86-84)
(4) 2002 - Indiana, Sweet Sixteen (74-73)
(5) 1993 - California, NCAA 2nd Round (82-77)
(6) 1999 - U.Conn, National Championship (77-74)
(7) 2000 - Florida, Sweet Sixteen (87-78)
(8) 2004 - U.Conn, NCAA Final Four (79-78)
(9) 1989 - Seton Hall, NCAA Final Four (87-75)
(10) 2006 - LSU, NCAA Sweet Sixteen (62-54)

(11) 1989 - North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (77-74)
(12) 2001 - Maryland (91-80) (“It’s Over”)
(13) 1984 - @ North Carolina (96-83) (2ot)
(14) 1995 - North Carolina (102-100) (2ot)
(15) 1988 - Kansas, NCAA Final Four (66-59)
(16) 2006 - North Carolina (83-76)
(17) 1990 - UNLV, National Championship (103-73)
(18) 2009 - Villanova, NCAA Sweet Sixteen (77-54)
(19) 2007 - VCU, NCAA 1st Round (79-77)
(20) 1991 - North Carolina, ACC Tournament Final (96-74)
(21) 1992 - @ North Carolina (75-73)
(22) 2005 - Michigan St., NCAA Sweet Sixteen (78-68)
(23) 1995 - Virginia (91-88) (2ot)
(24) 1994 - North Carolina (87-77)
(25) 2008 - West Virginia, NCAA 2nd Round (73-67)

(26) 1989 - North Carolina (91-71)
(27) 1997 - Providence, NCAA 2nd Round (98-87)
(28) 2001 - North Carolina (85-83)
(29) 2000 - Maryland (98-87)
(30) 1996 - @ North Carolina (73-72)
(31) 2004 - Maryland, ACC Tournament Final (95-87) (ot)
(32) 1990 - North Carolina (87-75)
(33) 1994 - Wake Forest (69-68)
(34) 1983 - Virginia, ACC Tournament 1st Round (109-66)
(35) 2009 - @ Clemson (74-47)
(36) 2005 - @ North Carolina (75-73)
(37) 1995 - Wake Forest (62-61)
(38) 1990 - @ North Carolina (79-60)
(39) 2002 - @ Maryland (87-73)
(40) 1993 - Georgia Tech, ACC Tournament 1st Round (69-66)
(41) 1985 - Boston College, NCAA 2nd Round (74-73)
(42) 2010 - @ Georgetown (89-77)
(43) 1996-1997 - Michigan (62-61)
(44) 1986 - @ North Carolina (95-92)
(45) 1999-2000 - Stanford and U.Conn, Pre-Season NIT (80-75 and 71-66)
(46) 1989 - Arizona (@ Meadowlands) (77-75)
(47) 1996 - Eastern Michigan, NCAA 1st Round (75-60)
(48) 1998-1999 - Cincinnati (Great Alaska Shootout) (77-75)
(49) 1988 - N.C. State (77-74)
(50) 2000 - St. John’s (83-82)



(Dis)-honorable mention:
1983 - Wagner (84-77)
1984 - Washington, NCAA 1st Round (80-78)
1987 - @ Notre Dame (70-66)
1987-1988 - @ Arizona (91-85)
1988 - Maryland (72-69)
1990 - Georgia Tech, ACC Tournament Semis (83-72)
1991 - @ Virginia (81-64)
1994 - Virginia, ACC Tournament 1st Round (66-61)
1994-1995 - U. Conn, @ Detroit (90-86)
1995 - Maryland (94-92)
1995 - @ UCLA (100-77)
1995 - Wake Forest, ACC Tournament 2nd Round (87-70)
1997 - N.C. State, ACC Tournament 1st Round (66-60)
2001 - @ Virginia (91-89)
2000-2001 - Stanford (at Oakland) (84-83)
2002 - @ Florida St. (77-76)
2002 - @ Virginia (87-84)
2003 - @ St. John’s (72-71)
2006 - @ Florida St. (79-74)
2007 - Va Tech (69-67)
2007 - Florida St. (68-67)
2010 - @ N. C. State (88-74)

Another great (but terrible) list, Nugget. My one comment would be that the losses I bolded above are not on Coach K's record.

[Tom B.]

(11) Kansas, 1988 NCAA Final Four (59-66)



Along with all the usual suspects (Louisville 1986, UConn 1999 and 2004, Kentucky 1998, etc.), this one has always stuck in my memory for some reason.

Maybe it's because after Louisville in 1986, no one knew if we'd ever make it back to the Final Four -- and yet there we were, just two years later. A chance for redemption, to ease the pain from '86 that still seemed fresh.

And maybe it was because that game came on the heels of the stirring win over #1 Temple in the East Region Final a week earlier. We were flying high, with so much promise.

All I remember is that we came out absolutely flat, unable to hit anything, and went down something like 14-0 in the opening minutes. The whole rest of the game was an inch-by-inch affair, as we slowly clawed our way back. There were no runs in which we made up seven or eight points in one spurt -- the comeback was one agonizing point at a time.

Late in the second half, John Smith had a three-pointer that would have tied it (or maybe it would have cut the lead to one -- I forget), and I swear that ball did a full lap and a half around the rim and was more than halfway down before somehow rimming out. I remember watching it on my TV in my living room as a 15 year-old kid -- I was already coming out of my seat when the ball inexplicably, impossibly spun out of the hoop, at which point I just collapsed to the floor. Kansas got the rebound and scored at the other end, ball game effectively over. What a crusher.

[Orange&BlackSheep]

Along with all the usual suspects (Louisville 1986, UConn 1999 and 2004, Kentucky 1998, etc.), this one has always stuck in my memory for some reason.

Maybe it's because after Louisville in 1986, no one knew if we'd ever make it back to the Final Four -- and yet there we were, just two years later. A chance for redemption, to ease the pain from '86 that still seemed fresh.

And maybe it was because that game came on the heels of the stirring win over #1 Temple in the East Region Final a week earlier. We were flying high, with so much promise.

All I remember is that we came out absolutely flat, unable to hit anything, and went down something like 14-0 in the opening minutes. The whole rest of the game was an inch-by-inch affair, as we slowly clawed our way back. There were no runs in which we made up seven or eight points in one spurt -- the comeback was one agonizing point at a time.

Late in the second half, John Smith had a three-pointer that would have tied it (or maybe it would have cut the lead to one -- I forget), and I swear that ball did a full lap and a half around the rim and was more than halfway down before somehow rimming out. I remember watching it on my TV in my living room as a 15 year-old kid -- I was already coming out of my seat when the ball inexplicably, impossibly spun out of the hoop, at which point I just collapsed to the floor. Kansas got the rebound and scored at the other end, ball game effectively over. What a crusher.

Reminds me of Hurley's late three against Cal which I think would have won the game had it gone down ... instead Kidd came down and scored and was fouled (IIRC) and what would have been a lead was a permanent deficit. After the career that BH had and the comeback on that evening, that ball had no right staying out. And honestly, I liked our chances of winning it all if we had that game under our belt.

[Tom B.]

Reminds me of Hurley's late three against Cal which I think would have won the game had it gone down ... instead Kidd came down and scored and was fouled (IIRC) and what would have been a lead was a permanent deficit. After the career that BH had and the comeback on that evening, that ball had no right staying out. And honestly, I liked our chances of winning it all if we had that game under our belt.



I don't get quite as down about that game. Yes, it was a sad way for Hurley's career to end, and the loss seemed to mark the "end of an era" (though Grant Hill did a masterful job of leading a one-season renaissance the next year, before the program went into collapse-and-rebuild mode for several seasons). By that point in the 1992-93 season, though, I didn't really think we had what it would take to win it all. Even after Grant Hill came back from his injury late in the regular season, the pieces just didn't seem to fit together quite right. Also, if I recall correctly, Cherokee Parks was hurt during the game against Cal and would have been questionable (and less than 100%, if he could play at all) in the next game, which would have been against Kansas. Maybe I was just rationalizing, but I figured we probably would have lost in the next round, so I didn't really feel as though we'd been cheated out of a title or a Final Four appearance.

[hurleyfor3]

And honestly, I liked our chances of winning it all if we had that game under our belt.

We weren't beating Kansas.

[Nugget]

I don't rank the loss to Kansas in the 1988 Final Four higher because I don't think we had much chance of beating Oklahoma in the final.

But, I do agree with Tom that it was a very tough loss. And, I don't agree that we couldn't have won that game.

I'm sure it was Greg Koubek, not Smith, who had the three pointer that, as Tom rightly notes, was in and down and then cruelly spit back out by Satan.

I don't recall exactly what the score was, but I think that shot would have pulled us even, or within 1 point; something like 49-48, with about 5 minutes to go.

And we had clawed and scraped back into that game after giving up a 2 touchdown lead right out of the gate, when Milt Newton in particular torched Billy King.

[Duke84]

Duke over Maryland - '82-'83 season, in College Park.

That was the night I knew Coach K might turn the Duke program in the right direction.

[gam7]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

A few interesting facts based on Nugget's list:

1. Of the 102 games on the list (two of the entries - nos. 56 and 77, both of which are from early-season tournaments, include two games), about 2/3 (68) are regular season games. Nugget lists 22 NCAA touranment games and 12 ACC tournament games.

2. The 22 NCAA tournament games include 4 National Championships, 7 Final Four games, 9 Regional Finals and 2 second round games. Interestingly, there are no Sweet 16 games on the list.

3. The 12 ACC tournament games include 9 ACC tournament finals and 3 semifinals.

4. Of the 68 regular season games on the list, 7 wins are from in-season tournaments.

5. Not surprisingly, Carolina accounts for more than a quarter of the wins on the list (28), and Maryland is second with 8. The non-conference opponent against which Coach K has his most big wins is Kansas. Just over half of the important wins (52) were against conference foes. Here is a full list of the opponents who make up the list:


School Games

UNC 28
MD 8
Kansas 5
NC St. 5
GT 4
U Mich. 4
SJU 4
Arizona 3
Indiana 3
Wake 3
Florida 2
UK 2
LSU 2
OU 2
Purdue 2
Texas 2
UCLA 2
Uconn 2
UVA 2
Ark 1
Baylor 1
BC 1
Butler 1
FSU 1
Gonz 1
G'town 1
Iowa 1
Marq 1
MSU 1
Navy 1
ND 1
Temple 1
UNLV 1
Wash 1
WVU 1
Xavier 1


6. 1986, 1992 and 2001 each had more big Coach K wins (9) than any other year. 1992 was arguably the greatest year of his career with 3 top 20 wins and all 9 wins from that year appearing on the list falling within the top 70 of his career.

7. Here is a breakdown of Nugget's wins list by year, which may facilitate analysis.


Year # of Games Games

1981 1 (32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)

1982 0

1983 0

1984 2 (11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)

1985 2 (28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)


1986 9 (10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)


1987 0

1988 6 (16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)


1989 2 (7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)


1990 6 (9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)


1991 8 (1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)


1992 9 (3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)


1993 2 (23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)


1994 2 (12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)


1995 0

1996 4 (77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)


1997 2 (25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)


1998 2 (15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)


1999 5 (62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)


2000 4 (39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)


2001 9 (5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)


2002 4 (51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)


2003 1 (64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)


2004 3 (60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)


2005 1 (54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)


2006 3 (52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)


2007 0

2008 3 (35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)


2009 5 (58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)


2010 7 (6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)

[Nugget]

I think I need to enlist your help to convince my wife to pay that much attention to the things I say!

[Tom B.]

I'm sure it was Greg Koubek, not Smith, who had the three pointer that, as Tom rightly notes, was in and down and then cruelly spit back out by Satan.



Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think it was Kevin Strickland who had that three-pointer that defied the laws of physics and rimmed out late in the game.

In any event, you're right that it wasn't Smith -- I checked the box score and he didn't shoot a three-pointer in that game. In fact, Smith didn't shoot a three-pointer for that entire season -- he didn't become a three-point threat until the next year (his senior season), when he hit 25 of 53 three-point attempts.

Koubek was 2-for-3 on three pointers in the '88 semifinal, while Strickland was 0-for-3.

[Meckler]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think it was Kevin Strickland who had that three-pointer that defied the laws of physics and rimmed out late in the game.

In any event, you're right that it wasn't Smith -- I checked the box score and he didn't shoot a three-pointer in that game. In fact, Smith didn't shoot a three-pointer for that entire season -- he didn't become a three-point threat until the next year (his senior season), when he hit 25 of 53 three-point attempts.

Koubek was 2-for-3 on three pointers in the '88 semifinal, while Strickland was 0-for-3.

You are correct.....it was Strickland who took that three. Usually a Duke 3-pointer is a dagger in the opposing team. This missed "3" was a dagger in the Duke team. Like the air deflating from the Duke balloon.

[-bdbd]

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
.......


Very impressive Nugget. And I'm surprised at how much I agree with your rankings. A couple of nits: I think #32 - K's first win over Dean and UNC should go a lot higher. For more recent fans it is hard to realize how "down" Duke was around that time, heading into 10 and 11-win seasons. I think K only won one or two of his first 10 meetings with Dean, as he worked to establish Duke BB -- not something that was at all a foregone conclusion in 1981. And Tinker Bell's game-winning shot, I think on a play drawn up by K, was scintillating.

A quibble, but I'd move the #6 game - the NC over Butler - up a couple notches vs the NC's over AZ and Mich. (and potentiually the KA win for a NC - though K's first NC is hard to downplay), because those wins weren't as close and those teams were maybe more talented, and K really made an imprint on the Butler final, decisive plays. I put #3 (Laettner vs KY) ahead of #2 (KA N.C.) as K again played a main role in the game's final/deciding play... in the huddle beforehand, "We're going to win. ...and here's how we're going to do it..." or words to that effect -- it was just what the team needed to hear and it made him legendary.

Looking at the list, I have to agree that this truly is an embarrassment of riches! Wow! :o

BTW, as to top worst-defeats list, I'd argue for the 1999 NC game vs UCONN as #1 b/c (1) It was for the NC, (2) It was an incredibly talented Duke team that was expected to win, (3) It was against despised UCONN, (4) Close game lost at the buzzer, and (5) The Duke WBB team had just lost the NC the day before, IIRC. I was there, and it was just devastating. :mad: The 1986 NC close loss to Never Nervous Pervous and Louisville is my #2, given the fairy-tale ending it denied Duke and K. And the 1998 KY game was devastating on several levels too -- the KY revenge factor, the losing-a-big-lead factor, the ppoor play down the stretch, and the potential for that team to do much more. The Ark NC loss, though close, wasn't as devastating to me since I really hadn't expected us to be there, and K did a great job in that one in my mind -- maybe top-6 still in defeats.


Great work Nugget! Thanks!

[Tom B.]

BTW, as to top worst-defeats list, I'd argue for the 1999 NC game vs UCONN as #1 b/c (1) It was for the NC, (2) It was an incredibly talented Duke team that was expected to win, (3) It was against despised UCONN, (4) Close game lost at the buzzer, and (5) The Duke WBB team had just lost the NC the day before, IIRC.



I'd forgotten about that, but you're right. That was after the women's team had upset #1 Tennessee with Chamique Holdsclaw (which had won the last three national championships) in the regional finals, so it seemed like we were destined for a double title. Then, poof -- the women lost in the title game to Purdue and the men lost to UConn. Those back-to-back losses really stung.

Still not as depressing a time for Duke athletics, though, as late March/early April of 2006. During that two week stretch: (1) the #1 men's team was upset by LSU in the South Region final, (2) the women's team blew a second-half double-digit lead in the national championship game and lost in OT to Maryland, and (3) the lacrosse scandal/hoax story broke.

[Nugget]

Tom, thanks for the correction on it being Strickland who had the 3 rim out against Kansas in 88.

As far as the "top wins" go, I think the commentors are right that 2010 Butler ought to be moved ahead of 2001 Arizona and 1992 Michigan. I had reflexively put those higher only because of the greater NBA talent on those teams than Butler's. But, each of those games was a bit of an anti-climax given our margins of victory and the more dramatic wins earlier in those NCAA tournaments.

As far as UNC 1981, I had it ranked lower down because I don't quite think of that team as really being a "Coach K" team, since he hadn't recruited any of the players.

On the toughest losses list, I know it goes against the grain a little (and I was there too), but 1999 U.Conn to me wasn't nearly as tough to take as 1986 Louisville or 1994 Arkansas. People forget now how good U.Conn was that year -- they had been ranked #1 longer than we were, had only 2 losses of which at least 1 was a major fluke. Duke never should had been as big a favorite as we were in that game.

And, knowing how poorly we played that game (as well as the fact that it is the game where, based on my admittedly ignorant position as a fan, I remember having the most gripes about Coach K's decisions -- e.g., never adjusting how we defended the high screens that got El-Amin mismatches, plus asking Trajan to exceed his own skill-set by trying to beat national defensive player of the year Ricky Moore off the dribble on the key possession down 1 on the 2nd to last trip down the floor, the trip before he lost it off his foot), I don't know that we really earned a win in that game.

[sagegrouse]

As far as the "top wins" go, I think the commentors are right that 2010 Butler ought to be moved ahead of 2001 Arizona and 1992 Michigan.

I remember when I was a teenager I offered the opinion that Easter was a more important holiday than Christmas. An adult present thoughtfully asked, "How do you compare two miracles?"

When Jack Nicklaus surprisingly won the Masters in 1986 at the advanced age of 46, Hord Hardin, the longtime Chairman, asked, "Jack, is this the best major win of all?" Jack replied, "Hord, they are all good."

I vote for a five-way tie for first, giving equal weight to the UNLV win in 1991 as to the championship games in 1991, 1992, 2001, and 2010. (I like typing these out.) As I frequently say, lets not make this problem too hard.

sagegrouse

[Devilsfan]

Top two toughest loses, 1999 to uconn in championship game (best team ever assembled in college BB and Kyrie Irving to injury 2010 (best point guard ever to play for K), IMHO.

[gam7]

Duke 79, UNC 73. We may have our first candidate of this year for Coach K's best wins list. This was a defining win for this year's team.

[pfrduke]

Duke 79, UNC 73. We may have our first candidate of this year for Coach K's best wins list. This was a defining win for this year's team.

Amen. Let this one forever go down in history as the "Nolan Smith" game. Because that man was ballin.

[DukeBlueDevils47]

Duke vs Butler in the Title game last year is definitely my favorite win. That last minute still makes me nervous when i watch replays of it just think what if Hayward had hit that shot...

[gam7]

Duke 68, Kansas 61. I think this one belongs on the list.

[captmojo]

Rolling Stone's greatest guitarists is one that a lot of folks don't like.
Myself included. :cool:

[barjwr]

The win over Kentucky in the 1998 Jimmy V Classic (at the Meadowlands in Cameron North) should be on the list somewhere -- seemed to take at least a little of the sting out of losing to them in the Regional Final the previous year.

I agree with adding the Kansas win in the Maui this week as well.

[OldPhiKap]

Rolling Stone's greatest guitarists is one that a lot of folks don't like.
Myself included. :cool:

If SRV isn't in the top ten, the list is bogus.

Carlos and Jerry better be in the next ten.


As far as K's wins are concerned, there are so many great ones over so many years that it is hard to see where this one fits in. The emotion K showed during and after the game was wonderful and (no doubt) genuine. I have no doubt that K is enjoying his job as much, if not more, than he ever has.

May we all find that in our own lives.

[gam7]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

As K approaches 1K, it's time to bump up one of the best threads ever started on DBR. We've got about 110 more wins (and 4 more years of retrospection) to consider for this list since Nugget posted this. I don't know Nugget, but I would love to see him (or someone else who has the knowledge and inclination) update the list. Frankly, I don't think there are too many candidates for the list from the past 4 seasons.

Without looking into it too deeply, the top candidates from the last four years (and not sure they even crack the official list) in my mind are:

Michigan State, 84-79, 2010 (Kyrie signature game)
N. Carolina, 79-73, 2011 (Nolan Smith masterpiece)
Kansas, 68-61, 2011 (Tyler Thornton game; Maui Invitational Championship)
@ N. Carolina, 85-84, 2012 (Austin Rivers game; down by 10 with 2 mins. left)
Louisville, 76-71, 2012 (Battle for Atlantis Championship)
@ Wisconsin, 80-70, 2014

Near miss: the game that had all the makings being pretty high on the list would have been @Syracuse 2014. This was the best we played all year; first 'cuse matchup in conference; K-Boeheim; so so much buzz around that game.

[nchfries67]

Miami, 79-76, 3/2/13 (Ryan Kelly comeback)

Actually got to be in attendance for this one. Only my second game ever in Cameron!

[DukeDevil]

@ Wisconsin, 80-70, 2014


I think the Wisconsin game's place on the list will be more apparent at year's end...I do think that how the team does for the year plays a role, as it sets the tone for the importance of the game overall. ie: a great win in a poor year doesn't mean as much as a great win in a NC year, as you can argue that the win helped establish the team's dynamic etc. In fact, a loss in a great year may be more meaningful than a win in a bad year.

I'm getting away from the point. Right now, the Winsconsin win feels pretty big, and may crack the list. I think a good postseason run from this team would make me say it solidly cracks the list for sure.

[gam7]

I think the Wisconsin game's place on the list will be more apparent at year's end...I do think that how the team does for the year plays a role, as it sets the tone for the importance of the game overall. ie: a great win in a poor year doesn't mean as much as a great win in a NC year, as you can argue that the win helped establish the team's dynamic etc. In fact, a loss in a great year may be more meaningful than a win in a bad year.

I'm getting away from the point. Right now, the Winsconsin win feels pretty big, and may crack the list. I think a good postseason run from this team would make me say it solidly cracks the list for sure.

Here are Nugget's criteria:

(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

The Wisconsin game rates extremely highly on (iii) and (iv). I think all late-career regular season games for Coach K are going to suffer on (ii). I think (i) can really be divided into at least two sub-categories: (i)(a) importance at the time of the game; and (i)(b) importance in light of that particular team/season. Agree with you that you can't tell the value of the game on (i)(b) until you see how things develop. I agree that it feels like a game that belongs on the list. The problem is that so do the 100+ games already on the list (and probably a couple dozen others)...

The Ryan Kelly game brings up an interesting point. There are a bunch of games that are huge, signature games for a particular player and therefore stick out in the Duke consciousness. I'd have to do more research on that particular game...

[weezie]

Lord a mercy, this is one wearying thread. Thank heavens K has the strength to never dwell on the losses.

[OldPhiKap]

Lord a mercy, this is one wearying thread. Thank heavens K has the strength to never dwell on the losses.

Fwiw, Dan Patrick asked K this week what loss in his career hurt the most. He said the NC games we lost, especially the ones that were only by a possession or two because you keep wondering what you could have done differently.

[-jk]

Fwiw, Dan Patrick asked K this week what loss in his career hurt the most. He said the NC games we lost, especially the ones that were only by a possession or two because you keep wondering what you could have done differently.

'86. <sigh>

[OldPhiKap]

'86. <sigh>

I was on West Quad in front of the Jumbotron. Still hurts.

[nchfries67]

The Ryan Kelly game brings up an interesting point. There are a bunch of games that are huge, signature games for a particular player and therefore stick out in the Duke consciousness. I'd have to do more research on that particular game...

The Wisconsin game this year was Coach K's 38th game facing a top-5 opponent when Duke was also ranked in the top 5. During the Miami game, Duke was ranked 3rd while Miami was ranked 5th. Also remember that earlier in the year Miami stomped Duke 90-63 in Coral Gables.

As far as Nugget's criteria:
i) It proved how important Ryan was to this Duke team. With him back in the lineup it showed that Duke was a team that was going to compete for a national title. We ended up losing in the Elite 8 to Louisville, the eventual national champion.
ii) Not sure how to tackle this one. After all Coach K has accomplished, only games during March, the first weekend in April, and against UNC-CH will probably be important to his career.
iii) Miami went on to win the ACC regular season and tournament title. They were also a 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
iv) Coach K said "We were all privileged to see one of the performances of the ages, I think, by Ryan Kelly." Sure it doesn't say much about the whole team. But an individual performance like that justifies a spot in one of Coach K's top 100 wins. It's crazy to even think that this would be up for discussion. It just shows how amazing Coach K's career has been. At most programs, a win like this would easily be top 5.

[pfrduke]

As K approaches 1K, it's time to bump up one of the best threads ever started on DBR. We've got about 110 more wins (and 4 more years of retrospection) to consider for this list since Nugget posted this. I don't know Nugget, but I would love to see him (or someone else who has the knowledge and inclination) update the list. Frankly, I don't think there are too many candidates for the list from the past 4 seasons.

Without looking into it too deeply, the top candidates from the last four years (and not sure they even crack the official list) in my mind are:

Michigan State, 84-79, 2010 (Kyrie signature game)
N. Carolina, 79-73, 2011 (Nolan Smith masterpiece)
Kansas, 68-61, 2011 (Tyler Thornton game; Maui Invitational Championship)
@ N. Carolina, 85-84, 2012 (Austin Rivers game; down by 10 with 2 mins. left)
Louisville, 76-71, 2012 (Battle for Atlantis Championship)
@ Wisconsin, 80-70, 2014

Near miss: the game that had all the makings being pretty high on the list would have been @Syracuse 2014. This was the best we played all year; first 'cuse matchup in conference; K-Boeheim; so so much buzz around that game.

11/15/11 - Duke 74, Michigan St. 69 (#903) has to go somewhere on the list
3/9/13 - Duke 69, UNC 53, in Chapel Hill - yes, the Heels weren't as good, but K doesn't have many wins in Chapel Hill by a greater margin (as an aside, and this is a sure sign of aging, I have no memory of this game and it was barely 18 months ago - I'm very troubled by this. I remember the Miami game from the week before vividly; I remember all of the tournament games (can even picture where I was and what I was doing for them), but this is a complete zero. I should go find a tape and watch it again to refresh.)

Maybe the UNC game last year?

[Edouble]

Fwiw, Dan Patrick asked K this week what loss in his career hurt the most. He said the NC games we lost, especially the ones that were only by a possession or two because you keep wondering what you could have done differently.

I always thought Trajan should have gotten the ball to Avery. I think he would have knocked down a three on the wing. Will was a little rattled from the whole Ricky Moore thing, but he was the kind of player that can hit a big playground shot. He'd missed the previous year, barely, against Kentucky. I thought he might have come through for us that season.

Say what you will, but that team had many weapons and a Langdon drive was not the strongest of them.

That one will never stop hurting. Can't imagine what it's like for Coach K. I still think it's the best team ever not to win an NC.

[NYBri]

Now a really great project would be a TV mini-series based on this list with highlights and historical perspective narrative and interviews of the players, coaches, fans and announcers.

THAT I would watch again and again.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Now a really great project would be a TV mini-series based on this list with highlights and historical perspective narrative and interviews of the players, coaches, fans and announcers.

THAT I would watch again and again.

Well, with the advent of the DBR Podcast, I feel like we're nearly there!

Hey Podcasters - that would make a great episode coinciding with K's 1000th... Discussion of some of the finer points on this thread.

-boy, it takes a while to type out all the "0's" in "1000."

[devildeac]

Well, with the advent of the DBR Podcast, I feel like we're nearly there!

Hey Podcasters - that would make a great episode coinciding with K's 1000th... Discussion of some of the finer points on this thread.

-boy, it takes a while to type out all the "0's" in "1000."

How about 1K? ;)

[johnb]

Now a really great project would be a TV mini-series based on this list with highlights and historical perspective narrative and interviews of the players, coaches, fans and announcers.

THAT I would watch again and again.

Excellent idea, a 30 for 30 that's perhaps 20 hours long. It might not get broad distribution, but it would get a lot of attention on this site.

[AIRFORCEDUKIE]

I put the 2010 win above either of the the 92 or 01 championships....maybe higher....if coach K had never gotten a fourth title, we're not talking about him right now as the GOAT, and what he did with the group of players he had....no one expected us to win.....I tihnk this has to be one of the top 3 games in duke history...along with the UK game and the UNLV game

Wait remember we didn't win that championship, it was handed to us by the selection committee, the refs, and not having to play Kentucky. ;)

[hurleyfor3]

I always thought Trajan should have gotten the ball to Avery. I think he would have knocked down a three on the wing. Will was a little rattled from the whole Ricky Moore thing, but he was the kind of player that can hit a big playground shot. He'd missed the previous year, barely, against Kentucky. I thought he might have come through for us that season.

I would've done the opposite, have Avery handle it and either pass it to an open Trajan or shoot it himself. Elton would normally have been an option too, but UConn had successfully locked him up the whole game. Yay, let's relive 15 years ago.

[Henderson]

Wait remember we didn't win that championship, it was handed to us by the selection committee, the refs, and not having to play Kentucky. ;)

I thoght it was Gordon Hayward who handed it to us by missing that wide open 3 at the end. :)

[cspan37421]

I was on West Quad in front of the Jumbotron. Still hurts.

Was that you in the Duke shirt? :D

cspan (freshman in 1985-6)

[Henderson]

Looking at hurley's sweet sig graphic, it occurs to me that all the banners, save one, have the logo of the natty sponsoring organization.

Shouldn't the 1924 banner at least have this?

http://la.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2012/03/helms-web.jpg

My point: even they know that banner is a sketchy embarrassment because of its source.

P.S. Note the truck careening off the tracks. Who's under it?

[Philadukie]

How about 1K? ;)

Coach (1)K. Love it. Crazies, get those signs ready.

[hurleyfor3]

My point: even they know that banner is a sketchy embarrassment because of its source.

The other five banners at least have NCAA logos, signifying they championships recognized by the NCAA. OTOH the 1924 banner tellingly uses the unc monogram instead, the significance of which I will leave to the reader.

[gam7]

11/15/11 - Duke 74, Michigan St. 69 (#903) has to go somewhere on the list
3/9/13 - Duke 69, UNC 53, in Chapel Hill - yes, the Heels weren't as good, but K doesn't have many wins in Chapel Hill by a greater margin (as an aside, and this is a sure sign of aging, I have no memory of this game and it was barely 18 months ago - I'm very troubled by this. I remember the Miami game from the week before vividly; I remember all of the tournament games (can even picture where I was and what I was doing for them), but this is a complete zero. I should go find a tape and watch it again to refresh.)

Maybe the UNC game last year?

As far as milestone wins go, #903 is the biggest for sure. But I would argue that it does not belong on the list. No question that it was an important win for Coach K's career (criterion (ii)), but the game doesn't rank highly in any other category. Importance of the game itself? Champions Classic games do have a bit of extra juice compared to most regular season non-conference games, but not particularly important; not for a championship. Quality of opposition? Historic program, but Michigan State was unranked at the time. Quality of play? Andre went off, but other than that, nothing else really stands out to me; only won by 5.

As you know pfr, the stars may be lining up for a potentially HUGE milestone game at 1K.

The UNC games highlight the difficulty of narrowing down the list: Coach K has 40 career wins against North Carolina alone! Very hard to draw the in/out line on North Carolina games...

[oakvillebluedevil]

Coach (1)K. Love it. Crazies, get those signs ready.

To channel JT, why don't we drop the "1"?

Just Coach K. It's cleaner. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEgk2v6KntY

[The Gordog]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

Great to see this thread back again. One game that I remember so well, although it falls short on the criteria listed (mostly #ii), was the infamous "Tractor" Trailer game at Cameron. When they took a cheap shot at Trajan the team and the crowd got so MAD it was truly magnificent. I think we scored 20 unanswered points. IIRC they beat us in 1997 and so this was a revenge game for Duke, Trajan was OK and the win went down really sweet.

[Tom B.]

Without looking into it too deeply, the top candidates from the last four years (and not sure they even crack the official list) in my mind are:

Michigan State, 84-79, 2010 (Kyrie signature game)
N. Carolina, 79-73, 2011 (Nolan Smith masterpiece)
Kansas, 68-61, 2011 (Tyler Thornton game; Maui Invitational Championship)
@ N. Carolina, 85-84, 2012 (Austin Rivers game; down by 10 with 2 mins. left)
Louisville, 76-71, 2012 (Battle for Atlantis Championship)
@ Wisconsin, 80-70, 2014




A couple of other candidates:


Syracuse, 66-60, 2/22/2014 (played just two days after the Carolina game in Chapel Hill, which had been rescheduled because of an ice storm; avenges earlier loss to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome; knocks Syracuse out of #1 spot in the polls; Boeheim famously loses it)
North Carolina, 75-58, 2011 ACC Tournament Championship (Nolan goes for 20 points and 10 assists and is named Tournament MVP; K ties Dean for most ACC championships (13) by a single coach)


To the original list, I'd add a few wins from the "bridge years" between the 1994-95 disaster and Duke's return to national prominence:


@ N.C. State, 71-70, 1/18/1996 (Duke wins on a three-pointer by Chris Collins that bounces on the rim four or five times before falling in -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD8r2FPCHKc; Duke had started the ACC season 0-4 and looked to be headed for a repeat of the previous season, but broke the skid in this game and ended up going 8-8 in the ACC)
@ Maryland, 77-75, 2/28/1996 (Duke wins on a buzzer-beater three-pointer by Ricky Price -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kkfDPvqlVM; the win ensures that Duke will finish no worse than .500 in the ACC)
@ Virginia, 62-61, 2/11/1997 (The Rick Hartzell Game; after UVa goes up by one on a free throw with five seconds left, Wojo goes the length of the floor and draws a foul while confusion reigns, as the officials forgot to stop play to let a UVa sub into the game; refs spend 10 minutes sorting it out, then Wojo calmly drains two free throws to give Duke the win -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Bkip9gmhWRE#t=365)

[Tom B.]

Great to see this thread back again. One game that I remember so well, although it falls short on the criteria listed (mostly #ii), was the infamous "Tractor" Trailer game at Cameron. When they took a cheap shot at Trajan the team and the crowd got so MAD it was truly magnificent. I think we scored 20 unanswered points. IIRC they beat us in 1997 and so this was a revenge game for Duke, Trajan was OK and the win went down really sweet.

I think you're mixing a couple of games up here. The game involving the cheap shot against Trajan was against Clemson (1999, I think), not Michigan. The crowd got really mad, and Duke responded with a ferocious, pummeling run that basically ended the game in the first half.

As far as Michigan is concerned, you might be thinking of the game against them in Cameron in December of 2000, when the Michigan team danced on our center court logo during warmups, and Duke responded by starting the game with a 34-2 run.

[Henderson]

I think you're mixing a couple of games up here. The game involving the cheap shot against Trajan was against Clemson (1999, I think), not Michigan. The crowd got really mad, and Duke responded with a ferocious, pummeling run that basically ended the game in the first half.

As far as Michigan is concerned, you might be thinking of the game against them in Cameron in December of 2000, when the Michigan team danced on our center court logo during warmups, and Duke responded by starting the game with a 34-2 run.

Here's a description of the Michigan game:

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/10/sports/colleges-men-s-basketball-no-1-duke-teaches-michigan-a-lesson.html

Hello.

[Tom B.]

Here's a description of the Michigan game:

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/10/sports/colleges-men-s-basketball-no-1-duke-teaches-michigan-a-lesson.html

Hello.

That article notes that Duke also routed Michigan by 44 points in 1998. I had forgotten about that game, but we did indeed beat Michigan 108-64 in Cameron in December of 1998. So that also could've been the Michigan game that Gordog was thinking of.

The "Tractor" Traylor game had been two years earlier, in December of 1996 -- Michigan won that game 62-61 after Duke had led 61-48. We let Michigan score the last 14 points, with the last two coming on a dunk by Traylor after he drove the lane uncontested.

We also lost to Michigan again the next year (December 1997), in Ann Arbor, by a score of 81-73.

So the December 1998 game in which we crushed Michigan by 44 might be considered "revenge" for the Traylor game, even though the Traylor game had been two years earlier.

We beat Michigan by seven (104-97) in Ann Arbor in December of 1999, then had the memorable 34-2 start in our destruction of Michigan in Cameron in December of 2000. We beat Michigan again in December of 2001 and 2002; then they stopped playing us. By that time, Tommy Amaker had become Michigan's head coach, and it's generally known that K doesn't like to play against teams coached by his former players and assistants. With the series ending in 2002, I think the decision not to renew it was mutual.

[Tom B.]

I think you're mixing a couple of games up here. The game involving the cheap shot against Trajan was against Clemson (1999, I think), not Michigan. The crowd got really mad, and Duke responded with a ferocious, pummeling run that basically ended the game in the first half.

As far as Michigan is concerned, you might be thinking of the game against them in Cameron in December of 2000, when the Michigan team danced on our center court logo during warmups, and Duke responded by starting the game with a 34-2 run.


Replying to myself....

Here's an article I found about the game against Clemson in February of 1999, in which Duke hammered Clemson with a 26-0 run after Adam Allenspach decked Trajan with an elbow.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-02-23/sports/9902230034_1_blue-devils-trajan-langdon-adam-allenspach

What I remember most about that run is that, even on TV, the crowd's bloodlust came through loud and clear. The noise just got louder and louder with each successive block, steal, and basket.

[Monmouth77]

Replying to myself....

Here's an article I found about the game against Clemson in February of 1999, in which Duke hammered Clemson with a 26-0 run after Adam Allenspach decked Trajan with an elbow.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-02-23/sports/9902230034_1_blue-devils-trajan-langdon-adam-allenspach

What I remember most about that run is that, even on TV, the crowd's bloodlust came through loud and clear. The noise just got louder and louder with each successive block, steal, and basket.

I have a framed TV screenshot from that game. The camera apparently panned the crowd during the 26-0 run and landed for a few seconds on the ferocious expressions emanating from the faces of three guys wearing their black "6th man" T-shirts -- the three guys being me, and my two buddies from Tent 14 (aka "Nate's Dogg Pound"). My buddy's Mom gave us the framed photos as graduation gifts. Best Duke paraphernalia I've got. Easily the loudest Cameron got during the '99 season.

[Nugget]

Here's a description of the Michigan game:

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/10/sports/colleges-men-s-basketball-no-1-duke-teaches-michigan-a-lesson.html

Hello.


Thanks to whoever brought this thread back up. It's fun to think back to during the break this time of year. I'll have to give some thought to a complete update in light of the interving developments the last four years. On first thought, I would for sure put the Nolan Smith 2011 Carolina game and the Ryan Kelly 2013 Miami game in there. This year's win @ Wisconsin would merit strong consideration given what a beautiful game we played under the circumstances, though time will tell on how important it will turn out to have been. The game against Mich St. where Coach K passed Knight to me at least wasn't really memorable other than for the record, so I'd be inclined to leave it out.

Regarding the 2000-2001 Michigan thrashing, I'd left it out mostly because I had in the similar 103-61 destruction we put on a much better Virginia team (ranked in the Top 10 at the time) that season. Those two games have melded together in my mind as that Duke team's maxing out on their possible dominance (other than maybe the shocking back to back beat-downs of Carolina in the post-Boozer game at the Dean Dome and then again the next week in the ACC final).

[jv001]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

I love the National Championship games but I still have a fondness for win #70 on the list. All I have to say is: 82-50. GoDuke!

[NSDukeFan]

I love the National Championship games but I still have a fondness for win #70 on the list. All I have to say is: 82-50. GoDuke!

Whenever I hear 82-50, I smile and think of Miles' big oop.

[Duvall]

Whenever I hear 82-50, I smile and think of Miles' big oop.

Any excuse. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2CQW1BFOOs&feature=youtu.be&t=1m10s)

[NSDukeFan]

Any excuse. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2CQW1BFOOs&feature=youtu.be&t=1m10s)

Thank you. I had forgotten about how nasty Zoubek's spike/block was and was reminded about Scheyer urging the crowd on. Awesome, awesome game.
Nolan Smith was pretty good as well.

[gam7]

With 2015 in the books and 1K surpassed, let's revisit the Top 100 Coach K wins list from Nugget, shall we?

Below is a table I put together with what I consider to be the best candidates for the list that occurred subsequent to Nugget's first posting. The twelve bolded games are the one I believe should make their way into the Top 100. But strong arguments can be made for each of the ones listed below. It is hard enough to pick the ones I think should make the list. Now, which ones to take off list? Man, forget about it...

One conclusion I have reached: as great, meaningful wins continue to pile up and the "Top 100" remains a flat 100 games, this exercise gets more and more impossible (and the list starts to feel like a list of NCAA tournament games and Carolina games - trust me, I am not complaining about this; there are just so many great ones). But, it may be time for an expansion to a Top 125 - there is no shortage of big Coach K wins to populate it.

Anyway, some great memories below. Enjoy.



H/@/N Opponent Season Game Type Score Article Video Box Note

H North Carolina 2011 Conference 79-73 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310400150) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjhRnIqLlc) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20110209) Nolan Smith. Seth Curry. Biggest halftime deficit comeback since 1959, a statement that was true until…
N Kansas 2012 Maui Inv. 68-61 Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313272305) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAN3fQzPgA) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20111123) Maui Championship. Thornton’s Miracle on Maui.
N Michigan St. 2012 Champs Classic 74-69 Link (www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205334176) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_9WsL5eTsQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20111115) #903. Dawkins for 26.
@ North Carolina 2012 Conference 85-84 Link (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7557367/duke-austin-rivers-lives-moment-north-carolina-tar-heels-college-basketball) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJGOzAI7MVM) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20120208) Austin Rivers shot. Duke down 10 with 2:15 left. Zeller own-goal.
H NC State 2012 Conference 78-73 Link (www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/duke-beats-nc-state-wolfpack-lead_n_1284151.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KMQs86K0c) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20120216) … 16 point halftime deficit. Down 20 with 11:30 left. Remarkable.
N Louisville 2013 Battle 4 Atl. 76-71 Link (sports.yahoo.com/news/no-5-duke-beats-no-045759936--ncaab.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jttsfF_xfDA) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20121124") Duke wins Battle 4 Atlantis with loaded field. Duke #5; Louisville #2. Quinn Cook MVP.
H Miami 2013 Conference 79-76 Link (espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9009202/ryan-kelly-enjoys-memorable-return-duke-blue-devils-win-miami-hurricanes-college-basketball) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6PwT3BUCo4) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20130302) Ryan Kelly returns from 2 month absence with foot injury. Duke avenges 27-point loss at Miami.
H Syracuse 2014 Conference 66-60 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400502872) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJcaReYQSV4) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20140222) Duke #5. Syracuse #1. Boeheim loses it.
H North Carolina 2014 Conference 93-81 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400502898) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKxWykycmgg) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20140308) Duke #4. UNC #14. Career high 30 for Parker. Hood for 24.
@ Wisconsin 2015 ACC-B10 Chall. 80-70 Link (sports.yahoo.com/news/no-4-duke-beats-no-2-wisconsin-80-045140136--ncaab.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaQKEwoHME) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20141203) Duke #4. Wisc #2. Tyus Stones is born. 65% from field.
@ Louisville 2015 Conference 63-52 Link (www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24970710/coach-k-scraps-tradition-and-uses-zone-in-dukes-win-at-louisville) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMRoZyz8WJs) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150117) Duke #4. Louisville #6. Coach K’s “Dylan Goes Electric” game. Duke comes in 2-2 in conference.
@ St. John’s 2015 Non-Conference 77-68 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587943) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QiMT508OvM) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150125) Win #1000. Duke finishes on 26-7 run. Down 10 with 8:30 left.
@ Virginia 2015 Conference 69-63 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587955) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t04EL2oKLc) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150131) Duke #4. UVA #2. Duke beats undefeated UVA. Duke beats packline down the court. Late 3s by Cook/Jones.
H Notre Dame 2015 Conference 90-60 Link (collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/07/no-4-duke-eviscerates-no-10-notre-dame-90-60/) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX1EUOAwX6I) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150207) Duke #4. ND #10. Extraordinary beat down.
H North Carolina 2015 Conference 92-90 (ot)Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587989) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJGqj2FtAZQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150218) Duke #4. UNC #15. Instant Classic. Duke down 10 with 3:20 to play. Big shots all over the place.
@ North Carolina 2015 Conference 84-77 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400588022) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRTcoG73SN0) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150307) Tyus Stones strikes again with 24. Another great one.
N NC State 2015 ACC Quarters 77-53 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400768420) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZKi88ATZuk) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150312) Beatdown game #2 (along with Notre Dame)
N Gonzaga 2015 NCAA Regional 66-52 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400787701) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ogd0mjPTOE) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150329) Coach K 12th Final Four. Three turnovers (one of which was letting shot clock expire at end-game). Great D.
N Michigan St. 2015 NCAA Final 4 81-61 Link (www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2015/04/04/final-four-duke-michigan-state-ncaa-tournament/25297119/) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziu4oWnFztQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150404) Sustained offensive pressure; stifling defense.
N Wisconsin 2015 NCAA Final 68-63 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400788981) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaQKEwoHME) Link (www.si.com/game/8691601/box-score) #5.

[neemizzle]

With 2015 in the books and 1K surpassed, let's revisit the Top 100 Coach K wins list from Nugget, shall we?



H/@/N Opponent Season Game Type Score Article Video Box Note

H North Carolina 2011 Conference 79-73 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310400150) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjhRnIqLlc) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20110209) Nolan Smith. Seth Curry. Biggest halftime deficit comeback since 1959, a statement that was true until…
N Kansas 2012 Maui Inv. 68-61 Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313272305) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAN3fQzPgA) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20111123) Maui Championship. Thornton’s Miracle on Maui.
N Michigan St. 2012 Champs Classic 74-69 Link (www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205334176) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_9WsL5eTsQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20111115) #903. Dawkins for 26.
@ North Carolina 2012 Conference 85-84 Link (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7557367/duke-austin-rivers-lives-moment-north-carolina-tar-heels-college-basketball) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJGOzAI7MVM) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20120208) Austin Rivers shot. Duke down 10 with 2:15 left. Zeller own-goal.
H NC State 2012 Conference 78-73 Link (www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/duke-beats-nc-state-wolfpack-lead_n_1284151.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KMQs86K0c) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20120216) … 16 point halftime deficit. Down 20 with 11:30 left. Remarkable.
N Louisville 2013 Battle 4 Atl. 76-71 Link (sports.yahoo.com/news/no-5-duke-beats-no-045759936--ncaab.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jttsfF_xfDA) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20121124") Duke wins Battle 4 Atlantis with loaded field. Duke #5; Louisville #2. Quinn Cook MVP.
H Miami 2013 Conference 79-76 Link (espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9009202/ryan-kelly-enjoys-memorable-return-duke-blue-devils-win-miami-hurricanes-college-basketball) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6PwT3BUCo4) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20130302) Ryan Kelly returns from 2 month absence with foot injury. Duke avenges 27-point loss at Miami.
H Syracuse 2014 Conference 66-60 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400502872) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJcaReYQSV4) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20140222) Duke #5. Syracuse #1. Boeheim loses it.
H North Carolina 2014 Conference 93-81 Link (sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400502898) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKxWykycmgg) Link (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20140308) Duke #4. UNC #14. Career high 30 for Parker. Hood for 24.
@ Wisconsin 2015 ACC-B10 Chall. 80-70 Link (sports.yahoo.com/news/no-4-duke-beats-no-2-wisconsin-80-045140136--ncaab.html) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaQKEwoHME) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20141203) Duke #4. Wisc #2. Tyus Stones is born. 65% from field.
@ Louisville 2015 Conference 63-52 Link (www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24970710/coach-k-scraps-tradition-and-uses-zone-in-dukes-win-at-louisville) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMRoZyz8WJs) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150117) Duke #4. Louisville #6. Coach K’s “Dylan Goes Electric” game. Duke comes in 2-2 in conference.
@ St. John’s 2015 Non-Conference 77-68 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587943) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QiMT508OvM) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150125) Win #1000. Duke finishes on 26-7 run. Down 10 with 8:30 left.
@ Virginia 2015 Conference 69-63 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587955) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t04EL2oKLc) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150131) Duke #4. UVA #2. Duke beats undefeated UVA. Duke beats packline down the court. Late 3s by Cook/Jones.
H Notre Dame 2015 Conference 90-60 Link (collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/07/no-4-duke-eviscerates-no-10-notre-dame-90-60/) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX1EUOAwX6I) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150207) Duke #4. ND #10. Extraordinary beat down.
H North Carolina 2015 Conference 92-90 (ot)Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400587989) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJGqj2FtAZQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150218) Duke #4. UNC #15. Instant Classic. Duke down 10 with 3:20 to play. Big shots all over the place.
@ North Carolina 2015 Conference 84-77 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400588022) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRTcoG73SN0) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150307) Tyus Stones strikes again with 24. Another great one.
N NC State 2015 ACC Quarters 77-53 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400768420) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZKi88ATZuk) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150312) Beatdown game #2 (along with Notre Dame)
N Gonzaga 2015 NCAA Regional 66-52 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400787701) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ogd0mjPTOE) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150329) Coach K 12th Final Four. Three turnovers (one of which was letting shot clock expire at end-game). Great D.
N Michigan St. 2015 NCAA Final 4 81-61 Link (www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2015/04/04/final-four-duke-michigan-state-ncaa-tournament/25297119/) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziu4oWnFztQ) Link (goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20150404) Sustained offensive pressure; stifling defense.
N Wisconsin 2015 NCAA Final 68-63 Link (scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400788981) Link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaQKEwoHME) Link (www.si.com/game/8691601/box-score) #5.

Thanks for this. Had some very special wins this year. I still can't get that Virginia game out of my brain. I still don't know how they won that game.

With the team that was assembled this year, I'd probably put most of those BIG wins like Virginia and UNC at home (and obviously Wisconsin from early in the year and the title game) in the discussion. As well as St Johns for K's 1000th.

[gam7]

In my judgment, there are two serious candidates from the 2016 season for the list of top 100 Coach K wins:

@ North Carolina, 74-73
Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHLWjqitiU)
Box (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20160217)
Article (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400839773)
Summary: With Matt Jones out for ¾ of the game (sprained ankle) and Marshall playing the last ten minutes with four fouls, Duke just hung around and hung around and took it at the end.

Virginia, 63-62
Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJN-evJVVCw)
Box (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400839772)
Article (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400839772)
Summary: Unranked Duke, #7 Virginia. Along with Louisville game, set tone for toughest stretch of the season. Grayson controversial buzzer beater.

I would love to convene a panel of DBR contributors at some point to work on a consensus list of Top [___] wins during Coach K's tenure. I have some ideas re: how this would work - perhaps in an RSCI sort of format.

To the podcast team: discussing a list like this could be amazing material for at least ten offseason podcasts - perhaps in an NFL network style top 100 players style ascending order countdown (games 100-90; 90-80, etc.).

[Devilwin]

EXCELLENT JOB!
I might have tweaked it a little, but it was a great undertaking.:cool:

[Nugget]

Here's my crack at an update/revision to my personal list of Duke's Top 100 wins of the Coach K-era (through 2016), ranked primarily in light of importance of the game, importance to Coach K's career, opposition and Duke's level of play, with additions from the prior list bolded:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Butler, 2010 National Championship
(6) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(7) Wisconsin, 2015 National Championship (68-63)
(8) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(9) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(10) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)

(11) U. Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)
(19) @ North Carolina, 2016 (74-73)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(24) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(25) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)

(26) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)
(27) North Carolina, 2011 (79-73)
(28) @ North Carolina, 2012 (85-84)
(29) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(32) Gonzaga, 2015 Elite Eight (66-52)
(33) North Carolina, 2011 ACC Tournament Final (75-58)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(36) North Carolina, 1981 (66-65)
(37) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(38) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(39) @ Virginia, 2015 (69-63)
(40) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(41) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(42) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(43) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(44) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(45) North Carolina, 2015 (92-90, ot)
(46) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(47) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(48) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(49) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(50) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(51) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(52) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(53) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(54) Virginia, 2016 (63-62)
(55) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(56) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(57) @ Wisconsin, 2014-2015 (80-70)
(58) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(59) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(60) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(61) Michigan St. (@ MSG), 2011-2012 (74-69) (Coach K’s win #903)
(62) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(63) North Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) Miami, 2013 (79-76) (Ryan Kelly game)
(65) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(66) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(70) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(71) @ Louisville, 2015 (63-52)
(72) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(73) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(74) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(75) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(76) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(77) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(78) @ St. John’s, 2015 (77-68) (Coach K’s win #1,000)
(79) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(80) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui Invitational final (95-87)
(81) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(82) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(83) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(84) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(85) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(86) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(87) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(88) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(89) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(90) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(91) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(92) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(93) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(94) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Invitational Final (77-73)
(95) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(96) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(97) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) UCLA, 1998 (120-84)
(100) @ Maryland, 1996 (77-75)

Honorable mention:
Washington, 1985 (71-59)
Maryland, 1986 (80-68)
Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
@ Virginia, 1997 (62-61)
Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
Michigan, 1998-1999 (108-64)
Clemson 1999 (92-65)
N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
Michigan St., 1999 NCAA Final Four (68-63)
N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
@ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58) and North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
Virginia Tech, 2005 (77-75)
@ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
@ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
Michigan St., 2010-2011 (84-79)
Kansas (@ Maui), 2011-2012 (68-61)
N.C. St., 2012 (78-73)
Louisville (@ Atlantis), 2012-2013 (76-71)
North Carolina, 2013 (69-53)
Syracuse, 2014 (66-60)
North Carolina, 2014 (93-81)
Notre Dame, 2015 (90-60)
@ North Carolina, 2015 (84-77)
Louisville, 2016 (72-65)

[gam7]

Rank Opponent Season Game Type Score H/@/N Video Recap Notes
1 UNLV 1991 NCAA FF 79-77 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8JmUVldKKA) Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-31/sports/sp-2519_1_duke-basketball) Undefeated UNLV.
2 Kansas 1991 NCAA NC 72-65 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnFFAuDeAIY) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/02/sports/college-basketball-ncaa-championship-duke-s-ncaa-drought-comes-to-end.html) First NC. Hill alley-oop.
3 Kentucky 1992 NCAA Regional 104-103otN Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDlWZ1vC9Ww) Recap (http://www.si.com/vault/1992/12/28/127836/march-28-the-shot-heard-round-the-world-a-miraculous-last-second-play-lifted-duke-over-kentucky-in-perhaps-the-greatest-college-game-ever-played) The Game. The shot.
4 Michigan 1992 NCAA NC 71-51 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBQ4-zr22Nc) Recap (http://www.si.com/vault/1992/12/14/127760/duke-makes-a-statement-the-blue-devils-silenced-the-fast-talking-fab-five-of-michigan-once-again) Back to back NCs. Fab 5. Wire to wire No. 1.
5 Butler 2010 NCAA NC 61-59 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzDZql2qExU) Recap (http://www.si.com/vault/2010/04/12/105922885/tough-as-they-come) NC #4. Hayward half-court miss.
6 Arizona 2001 NCAA NC 82-72 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8uMlmc8xyA) Recap (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketba/marchmania/2001mens/stories/2001-04-03-zillgitt-dunleavy.htm) NC #3. Battier senior year. Dunleavy catches fire.
7 Wisconsin 2015 NCAA NC 68-63 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKuL8Dn5_PY) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/sports/ncaabasketball/duke-defeats-wisconsin-to-win-ncaa-mens-basketball-championship.html?_r=0) NC #5. Tyus Stones drops mic.
8 North Carolina 1984 ACC Tourn Semi 77-75 N NA Recap (http://espn.go.com/classic/s/013101_great_duke/unc_games.html) Duke gets over hump vs. UNC. Jordan, Perkins, etc.
9 Georgetown 1989 NCAA Regional 85-77 N 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajvs2bt_B6w) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/27/sports/east-regional-duke-holds-off-georgetown-85-77.html) #1 seed G'town. Mourning.
10 Maryland 2001 NCAA FF 95-84 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEafHCO6NBo") Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/01/sports/college-basketball-duke-in-final-after-another-comeback-jolts-maryland.html) 22-point deficit.
11 UConn 1990 NCAA Regional 79-78ot N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_QA5_30ZDI) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/25/sports/college-basketball-uconn-eliminated-at-buzzer-in-overtime.html) Laettner buzzer beater.
12 Purdue 1994 NCAA Regional 69-60 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8R5hfvIrPA) Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1994-03-27/sports/sp-38969_1_blue-devil) Senior Grant Hill vs. Big Dog.
13 Kansas 1986 NCAA FF 71-67 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU9jhijU-ns) Recap (http://www.dukechronicle.com/blog/blue-zone/2011/11/top-duke-vs-kansas-games) K's first FF game.
14 North Carolina 2001 Conference 95-81 @ 'Lights (http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/2001/20010304/recap/daunav.html) Recap (http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/2001/20010304/recap/daunav.html) Boozer out. Take that, doubters.
15 North Carolina 1998 Conference 77-75 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SqGD4R-22k) Recap (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-03-01/sports/9803010205_1_freshmen-elton-brand-duke-blue-devils-duke-point-guard) Brand returns, leads comeback. K's 500th win. Wojo-K hug.
16 Temple 1988 NCAA Regional 63-53 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfhgmOy6eEk) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/27/sports/ncaa-regionals-east-duke-knocks-off-temple-to-gain-final-4.html) #1 seed Temple. Macon. First of 5 straight FFs.
17 Indiana 1992 NCAA FF 81-78 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxoayKDdbdQ) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/05/sports/college-basketball-duke-holds-off-indiana-to-set-up-a-fab-final.html) Student becomes teacher.
18 Navy 1986 NCAA Regional 71-50 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hhWsSkd7zo) Recap (http://contentdm.lib.duke.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15957coll13/id/34960) To go to K's first FF. David Robinson.
19 North Carolina 2016 Conference 74-73 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHLWjqitiU) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400839773) Matt Jones injured; Plumlee foul trouble. Thornton block.
20 Arkansas 1990 NCAA FF 97-83 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o31qF2n3cEM") Recap (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/final4/articles/semi90b.htm) 40 Minutes of Heaven.
21 North Carolina 1988 ACC Tourn Fin. 65-61 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU7oQ4WFCyE) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/14/sports/ferry-leads-duke-past-north-carolina.html) Tight defensive game. First win over UNC in ACCT Final.
22 Baylor 2010 NCAA Regional 78-71 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exrOpkdoBE8) Recap (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/28/AR2010032802297.html) Great, close, tough game. Nolan gives K high five.
23 Georgia Tech 1986 ACC Tourn Fin. 68-67 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRc_E9E2g1U) Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-10/sports/sp-3011_1_johnny-dawkins) Dawkins clutch. Rival recruiting classes. Price, Salley.
24 North Carolina 2001 ACC Tourn Fin. 79-53 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com/?game=453SR088_s01&seconds=0) Recap (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=141089) Demolition without regard for human life.
25 North Carolina 1986 Conference 82-74 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4F5sxTGCI4) Recap (http://articles.philly.com/1986-03-03/sports/26083385_1_acc-title-dawkins-and-alarie-duke-history) First outright ACC regular season title since '66.
26 North Carolina 1997 Conference 80-73 H 'Lights (http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/30/sports/back-and-forth-with-duke-rising-to-top.html) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/30/sports/back-and-forth-with-duke-rising-to-top.html) Tight throughout. Win breaks 7-game losing streak to UNC.
27 North Carolina 2011 Conference 79-73 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OYntTJq4XM) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=310400150) Nolan Smith game. Biggest halftime deficit overcome since '59.
28 North Carolina 2012 Conference 85-84 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adf3f7NX7eQ) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=320390153) Austin Rivers dagger.
29 North Carolina 1985 Conference 93-77 @ NA Recap (http://www.si.com/vault/1985/01/28/551284/a-dukeout-that-left-carolina-blue) First win in Chapel Hill in 18 years.
30 West Virginia 2010 NCAA FF 78-57 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkzNMNL-Rfw) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=300930150) FF whoop a**. Da'Sean Butler injury.
31 Florida 1994 NCAA FF 70-65 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJFBSK-qX58) Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-04-03/sports/1994093137_1_blue-devils-grant-hill-duke) Senior Grant Hill FF win.
32 Gonzaga 2015 NCAA Regional 66-52 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxQ2DJk9G98) Recap (http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2015/03/keeping-joneses-duke-basketball-downs-gonzaga-advance-final-four) Matt Jones plays hero. Just 3 TOs.
33 North Carolina 2011 ACC Tourn Fin. 75-58 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OXm45qMZao) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=310720153) Seniors Singler/Smith lead rout for championship.
34 Maryland 2001 ACC Tourn Semi 84-82 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plASj51fQtM) Recap (http://a.espncdn.com/ncb/s/2002/0116/1312542.html) Thrilling finish. Nate James tip-in.
35 Wake Forest 1997 Conference 73-68 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uru3mq2S0nQ) Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-01-12/sports/1997012168_1_duncan-deacons-duke) Carrawell at center. Ends 9-game loss streak to Wake. Duncan.
36 North Carolina 1981 Conference 66-65ot H 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7xNa8PjqwI) Recap (http://bluedevilnation.net/2013/02/dukecarolina-anything-can-happen-right/) Gene Banks game. K's first win against UNC.
37 Xavier 2004 NCAA Regional 66-63 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izxp6X4t3Pg) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=244000030) Senior Duhon, Deng, Redick go to FF.
38 Michigan 1993 Non-Conference 79-68 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvu8D2V7nOk) Recap (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-12-06/sports/9204210331_1_hail-blue-devils-cameron-indoor-stadium) NCAA final rematch. Duke beats #1 Fab 5.
39 Virginia 2015 Conference 69-63 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUwlpkTSb8A) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400587955) Unbeaten UVA. Tyus Stones strikes again.
40 LSU 1992 Non-Conference 77-67 @ NA Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/09/sports/college-basketball-o-neal-is-hot-but-duke-is-hotter.html) Win over Shaq on road.
41 North Carolina 2008 Conference 89-78 @ 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlHdIDFZzXc) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280370153) Duke bombs away with 13 3s.
42 Maryland 2001 Conference 98-96ot @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSIUL0IHM5k) Recap (http://www.dukechronicle.com/blog/blue-zone/2013/01/duke-maryland-marks-12th-anniversary-miracle-minute) Miracle Minute.
43 North Carolina 1989 Conference 88-86 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VOcDiMh8yI) NA Win @UNC.
44 North Carolina 2005 Conference 71-70 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EACRbozx34) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=250400150) UNC fails to get off last second shot. Win over eventual champ.
45 North Carolina 2015 Conference 92-90ot H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWSu0I6cXU) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400587989) Tremendous game, atmosphere.
46 North Carolina 1993 Conference 81-67 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z78VniQ5Zg) NA #6 UNC vs. #5 Duke. Win over eventual champ.
47 Arizona 1990 Non-Conference 78-76 H NA Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1990-02-26/sports/sp-1011_1_arizona-state) Duke out rebounded by 23. Br. Williams (later Bison Dele), Rooks.
48 Michigan 1992 Non-Conference 88-85ot @ NA Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-15/sports/sp-827_1_michigan-state) Put Fab 5 in its place.
49 North Carolina 2004 Conference 83-81ot @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUesuH_Fpmw) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=240360153) Duhon coast-to-coast.
50 North Carolina 1991 Conference 83-77 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qbpa0feLc) Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-03-04/sports/1991063181_1_north-carolina-duke-and-north-blue-devils) Young Duke plays tough against bigger UNC for ACCT 1 seed.
51 Maryland 2002 Conference 99-78 H NA Recap (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-01-18/sports/0201180334_1_duke-blue-devils-cameron-indoor-stadium) Convincing win in patch of close ones with MD.
52 North Carolina 2000 Conference 90-86ot @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuXG1nl5hp0) Recap (http://articles.philly.com/2000-02-04/sports/25575492_1_overtime-chris-carrawell-duke) OT thriller. Classic Battier block on Forte.
53 North Carolina 1992 ACC Tourn Fin. 94-74 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com/?game=453SR088_s01&seconds=0) Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-03-16/sports/1992076074_1_blue-devils-laettner-duke) Bulldozing of UNC. '92 team hits stride.
54 Virginia 2016 Conference 63-62 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJN-evJVVCw) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400839772) Controversial Allen buzzer beater.
55 North Carolina 1988 Conference 70-69 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_-MygNJs2s) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/22/sports/college-basketball-duke-upsets-north-carolina.html) #9 Duke weathers JR Reid-led comeback to upset #2 UNC.
56 Boston College 2006 ACC Tourn Fin. 78-76 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com/?game=453SR088_s01&seconds=0) Recap (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=247742) Redick becomes all-time leading scorer in ACCT thriller.
57 Wisconsin 2015 Non-Conference 80-70 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaQKEwoHME) Recap (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/no-4-duke-beats-no-2-wisconsin-80-045140136--ncaab.html) Berserk crowd, #2 Badgers. Tyus Stones is born.
58 St. John’s 1991 NCAA Regional 78-61 N NA Recap (http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-03-25/sports/9101150458_1_blue-devils-duke-final-four) Win for right to play undefeated UNLV.
59 Maryland 2000 ACC Tourn Fin. 81-68 N NA Recap (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=139752) Duke avenges home loss with ACC title over MD.
60 NC State 2003 ACC Tourn Fin. 84-77 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=230750150) Duke down 15 with 10 minutes left. Fifth straight ACC tourney win.
61 Michigan State 2012 Non-Conference 74-69 N 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvsuan5wado) Recap (http://www.wnyc.org/story/170580-coach-k-likely-break-record/) MSG. Coach K win #903.
62 Florida St. 2009 ACC Tourn Fin. 79-69 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=290740150) Scheyer/Henderson combine for 56 for chip.
63 North Carolina 1999 ACC Tourn Fin. 96-73 N Game (http://vault.theacc.com/?game=453SR031_s01&seconds=0) Recap (http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=205463411) Duke steamrolls UNC for 19-0 in conference.
64 Miami 2013 Conference 79-76 H 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL1PLarB670) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/sports/ncaabasketball/ryan-kellys-36-points-lift-duke-over-miami.html?_r=0) Ryan Kelly game.
65 StJ;Kansas 1986 PS NIT 71-70;92-86 N StJ1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgsKAhVxbtU)StJ2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ6CmFNcXJo)Recap (http://www.si.com/vault/1985/12/09/622656/the-devils-took-the-big-apple) Duke wins first-ever pre-season NIT.
66 North Carolina 1988 Conference 96-81 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6_0zowGmzE) Recap (https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3873955.html) #9 Duke over #6 UNC. Duke blows it open in 2nd half.
67 Oklahoma 1986 Non-Conference 93-84 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtT8Ql_Brp4) Recap (http://newsok.com/article/2138688) #10 OU. 23-point lead after 12 mins.
68 UCLA 1992 Non-Conference 75-65 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6_sXkbSwLA) Recap (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-03-02/sports/9201200285_1_bobby-hurley-duke-christian-laettner) #1 Duke; #4 UCLA. Hurley returns to form.
69 Virginia 1984 Conference 78-72 @ NA NA Unranked Duke over #20 UVA. Carlisle, Polynice.
70 Kansas 2000 NCAA 2nd Round 69-64 N NA Recap (http://articles.philly.com/2000-03-20/sports/25606144_1_chris-carrawell-duke-blue-devils) 1-seed Duke over 8-seed KU in ugly, tight game.
71 Louisville 2015 Conference 63-52 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMRoZyz8WJs) Recap (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24970710/coach-k-scraps-tradition-and-uses-zone-in-dukes-win-at-louisville) K goes zone.
72 LSU 1991 Non-Conference 88-70 H NA Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1991-02-11/sports/sp-767_1_o-neal-and-beats-lsu) Duke takes it to Shaq on road.
73 Texas 2006 Non-Conference 97-66 N 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHOI_tKzR7I) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=253440251) Redick goes for 40. #1 vs. #2.
74 North Carolina 2010 Conference 82-50 H 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2CQW1BFOOs) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=300650150) World-class destruction.
75 Oklahoma 1991 Non-Conference 90-85 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12hD55f2yx8) Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1990-12-23/sports/sp-9654_1_oklahoma-coach) Duke ends OU 51-game home win streak.
76 Notre Dame 1986 Non-Conference 75-74 H NA Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/17/sports/duke-holds-off-notre-dame-spurt-75-74.html) Duke holds off huge 2nd half ND rally.
77 NC State 1988 ACC Tourn Semi 73-71 N NA Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1988-03-13/sports/sp-1669_1_north-carolina) #11 NC St. Ferry shot late breaks tie.
78 St. John’s 2015 Non-Conference 77-68 @ 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QiMT508OvM) Recap (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2015/01/25/duke-mike-krzyzewski-1000th-win-st-johns/22315671/) Coach K wins #1K. Good comeback.
79 Kansas 1988 Non-Conference 74-70ot @ NA Recap (http://www2.kusports.com/news/1988/feb/21/dukes_d_denies_ku_7470_overtime_loss/) Duke stifles eventual champ with defense. Manning.
80 Arizona 1998 Maui Final 95-87 N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7sePo3Qu8) Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-11-27/sports/1997331131_1_steve-wojciechowski-blue-devils-duke-blue) Defending champ and #1 UA. Bibby, Simon.
81 Kentucky 2002 Non-Conference 95-92ot N Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dks6DsLbUHc) Recap (http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/20011218Duke.html) #1 Duke, #8 UK. J. Williams for 38.
82 North Carolina 1991 Conference 74-60 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIO8fWeb9H8) NA #12 Duke, #5 UNC. Duke explodes for 50 2nd half points.
83 St. John’s 1992 Non-Conference 91-81 N 'Lights (http://articles.philly.com/1991-12-06/sports/25808540_1_duke-acc-big-east-challenge-national-champions) Recap (http://articles.philly.com/1991-12-06/sports/25808540_1_duke-acc-big-east-challenge-national-champions) #1 Duke dismantles best of Big East. Duke up by 31 in 2nd half.
84 Georgia Tech 1990 Conference 96-91 @ NA Recap (http://www.fayobserver.com/sports/duke-rallies-for---win-over-ga-tech/article_4351ce70-ffa0-5e92-ae24-4ee407375e50.html) #10 Duke over #9 GT. Scott, Oliver, Anderson.
85 Wake Forest 2001 Conference 82-80 @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ATnFtEn_yU) Recap (http://articles.philly.com/2001-02-25/sports/25317345_1_iowa-state-freshman-chris-duhon-duke) Duhon buzzer beater.
86 North Carolina 1999 Conference 81-61 @ NA Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1999-02-28/sports/9902280029_1_acc-history-blue-devils-duke) 16-0 ACC record.
87 Michigan State 2004 Non-Conference 72-50 @ NA Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=233370127) #6 Duke sticks it to #5 MSU on road.
88 North Carolina 1992 Conference 89-77 H Game (http://vault.theacc.com/game/453SR3925_s01/NorthCarolina/Duke/0) Recap (http://articles.dailypress.com/1992-03-09/sports/9203090114_1_laettner-and-point-guard-duke-s-antonio-lang-senior-guard-hubert-davis) #1 Duke; #16 UNC. Laettner senior day. Cameron electric.
89 NC State 1996 Conference 71-70 @ NA Recap (http://www.fayobserver.com/sports/duke-tames-pack/article_91dfc32e-3b0d-5423-a875-8e76375f01c1.html) Chris Collins' dancing-on-the-rim 3 pointer.
90 Purdue 2009 Non-Conference 76-60 @ 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0uL-MfOVWA) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=283372509) #4 Duke over #10 Purdue. Hostile crowd.
91 Virginia 2001 Conference 103-61 H NA Recap (http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/011301aaa.html) Unending tidal wave of awesome.
92 St. John’s 1999 Non-Conference 92-88ot @ Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWlqGMD3uAU) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/25/sports/college-basketball-a-defiant-st-john-s-falls-to-duke-in-overtime.html) Duke rises to challenge in OT. #8 StJ - Artest.
93 Indiana; Iowa 1996 Alaska Sh. 70-64; 88-81 N Ind1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnd2_yjw56I) Recap (http://articles.latimes.com/1995-11-27/sports/sp-7574_1_season-duke) Duke shows '95 was aberration. #23 IU; #10 Iowa.
94 Marquette 2008 Maui Final 77-73 N NA Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273250150) #13 Duke; #11 Marquette. Frosh Singler for 25. Duke wins Maui.
95 NC State 1990 Conference 85-82 H NA Recap (http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-01-25/sports/9001250033_1_guard-phil-henderson-greg-koubek-cameron-indoor-stadium) Phil Henderson career game.
96 Maryland 2009 Conference 85-44 H 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7fPuYZCG2M) Recap (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=290240150) MD taken to woodshed. Worst loss since '63.
97 UCLA 1996 Non-Conference 85-66 H NA Recap (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/feb/26/ucla-falls-to-unranked-duke-85-66/) Unranked Duke smokes #16 UCLA (defending champs).
98 Gonzaga 2010 Non-Conference 76-41 N 'Lights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zosUhbqBDSc) Recap (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/sports/ncaabasketball/20duke.html?_r=0) Duke makes mockery of big matchup. Gonz shoots 27%.
99 UCLA 1998 Non-Conference 120-84 H Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA0BY4mEoXo) Recap (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-02-23/sports/9802230011_1_freshman-center-elton-brand-trajan-langdon-ucla) #2 Duke crushes #12 UCLA. Langdon for 34. Baron Davis.
100 Maryland 1996 Conference 77-75 @ NA Recap (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-02-29/sports/1996060074_1_timeout-terps-maryland) Ricky Price buzzer beater.

[ncexnyc]

In my judgment, there are two serious candidates from the 2016 season for the list of top 100 Coach K wins:

@ North Carolina, 74-73
Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHLWjqitiU)
Box (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=20160217)
Article (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400839773)
Summary: With Matt Jones out for ¾ of the game (sprained ankle) and Marshall playing the last ten minutes with four fouls, Duke just hung around and hung around and took it at the end.


The UNCheat win was nice, but I'd have to exclude it from the list as the team won that game because of Ol' Roys ineptitude rather than K's ability.

[Indoor66]

The UNCheat win was nice, but I'd have to exclude it from the list as the team won that game because of Ol' Roys ineptitude rather than K's ability.

Also, how do you highly rate a win against cheaters?

[NSDukeFan]

The UNCheat win was nice, but I'd have to exclude it from the list as the team won that game because of Ol' Roys ineptitude rather than K's ability.

Wouldn't that therefore eliminate a lot of Duke's wins against Carolina in the past few years. 😊

[gam7]

The UNCheat win was nice, but I'd have to exclude it from the list as the team won that game because of Ol' Roys ineptitude rather than K's ability.

I think that game belongs in a similar bucket as @UNC 2012 (Rivers). We were really walking a tightrope there. Having said that, I would have it further down the list (behind the Austin Rivers game), but probably still somewhere on the list - though there are some honorable mention games that folks could make a very strong argument for (and I would probably include them on my Top 100). Ones that stand out at first glance are: @Indiana 2005-06 (hostile environment, Killingsworth gets his, but we shut everyone else down); UConn 2009-10 ("alarmingly unathletic" game), Texas 2009 (very intense game, heads up Scheyer flips ball downcourt on way out of bounds), Kansas 2011-12 (Maui title, Thornton deep jumpman 3).

[MartyClark]

Also, how do you highly rate a win against cheaters?

Very highly. Every single win.

[gam7]

We have our strongest candidate of the season for the list: Duke 93, UNC 83.

(I'd say Louisville is a candidate too.)

[ipatent]

In honor of his tying Dean, I put together a list of what I would rank as Coach K's top wins at Duke, based on my personal views that placed most significance on:
(i) the importance of the game,
(ii) the game's importance to Coach K's career,
(iii) the quality of the opposition, and
(iv) the quality of Duke's performance.

Happily, and as a sign of how blessed Duke fans have been over the past 30 years, I was able to recall at least 100 memorable Duke wins under Coach K.

Take your best shot.

Coach K's Top 100 Wins at Duke:

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(3) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(8) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(9) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)
(10) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)

(11) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(12) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(13) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(14) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(15) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(18) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(19) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)
(20) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(21) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(22) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(23) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(24) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)

(26) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(27) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(28) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(29) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(30) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(31) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(32) North Carolina, 1981 (61-60)
(33) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(34) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semis (84-82)
(35) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(36) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(37) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(38) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(39) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(40) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(41) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(42) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(43) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(44) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(45) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(46) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)
(47) North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
(48) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(49) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(50) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(51) Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
(52) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(53) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(54) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(55) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(56) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(57) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(58) Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
(59) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(60) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(61) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(62) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(63) N. Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(64) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(65) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)
(66) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)
(67) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)
(68) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(69) Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
(70) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(71) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(72) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(73) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(74) Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
(75) @ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
(76) N. Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
(77) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(78) Washington, 1985 (71-59)
(79) Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
(80) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(81) N. Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
(82) @ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
(83) U.Conn, 2009-2010 Pre-season NIT (68-59)
(84) @ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
(85) @ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
(86) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)
(87) @ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
(88) Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
(89) Georgia Tech, 1991 (98-57)
(90) @ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
(91) Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
(92) North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
(93) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(94) Wake Forest, 2009 (101-91)
(95) Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
(96) UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
(97) @ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
(98) Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
(99) Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
(100) Maryland, 1986 (80-68)

The win at Virginia (#93) was the breakthrough win for legitimacy in the K era. Should be much higher, IMO. Great list, though.

[gam7]

Bump. PK80 Florida deserves consideration.

[Reilly]

Bump. PK80 Florida deserves consideration.

Rather than bump one of the others, perhaps slot PK80 where the list guru/committee believes it goes, and have the list be not just a changing thing, but a growing thing (so, more than 100).

[MarkD83]

Rather than bump one of the others, perhaps slot PK80 where the list guru/committee believes it goes, and have the list be not just a changing thing, but a growing thing (so, more than 100).

Since K has over 1000 wins at Duke a list of 100 may be too small....I vote to let the list grow..

[Reilly]

Since K has over 1000 wins at Duke a list of 100 may be too small...I vote to let the list grow..

And still maintain quality: "Coach K's Top 10% Wins" .... so for every 10 wins over 1,000, we get to add 1 win to the list ... 3-4 per year ...

[weezie]

Bump. PK80 Florida deserves consideration.


If for nothing more than the fab (super ugly) trophy. An observation originally made by brevity.

[gam7]

And still maintain quality: "Coach K's Top 10% Wins" ... so for every 10 wins over 1,000, we get to add 1 win to the list ... 3-4 per year ...

I like the 10% rule. Even so, there will be no shortage of deserving candidates.


If for nothing more than the fab (super ugly) trophy. An observation originally made by brevity.

I noticed that too. Terrible. It looked like oversized table swag at a job fair. It would've been better if they had gone with the oversized stress ball or branded slinky.

[Reilly]

If for nothing more than the fab (super ugly) trophy ...


... I noticed that too. Terrible. It looked like oversized table swag at a job fair. It would've been better if they had gone with the oversized stress ball or branded slinky.

It looks like a cinder block, so seemingly could be put to use by posters around here.

[Nugget]

With the embarrassment of riches we have as Duke fans having continued for the nearly five years since my list was last updated, here's my revised take on the Top 100 wins of the Coach K era, with the next 50 honorable mentions:

Top 100 Duke wins of Coach K-era

(1) UNLV, 1991 NCAA Final Four (79-77)
(2) Kentucky, 1992 NCAA East Regional (104-103) (ot)
(3) Kansas, 1991 National Championship (72-65)
(4) Michigan, 1992 National Championship (71-51)
(5) Arizona, 2001 National Championship (82-72)
(6) Butler, 2010 National Championship (61-59)
(7) Wisconsin, 2015 National Championship (68-63)
(8) North Carolina, 1984 ACC Tournament Semis (77-75)
(9) Maryland, 2001 NCAA Final Four (95-84)
(10) U.Conn, 1990 NCAA East Regional (79-78) (ot)

(11) Georgetown, 1989 NCAA East Regional (85-77)
(12) Kansas, 1986 NCAA Final Four (71-67)
(13) Purdue, 1994 NCAA Southeast Regional (69-60)
(14) North Carolina, 1998 (77-75)
(15) Indiana, 1992 NCAA Final Four (81-78)
(16) Temple, 1988 NCAA East Regional (63-53)
(17) Baylor, 2010 NCAA South Regional (78-71)
(18) Georgia Tech, 1986 ACC Tournament Final (68-67) (ot)
(19) @ Maryland, 2001 (98-96) (ot)
(20) North Carolina, 1988 ACC Tournament Final (65-61)

(21) @ North Carolina, 2001 (95-81)
(22) North Carolina, 1981 (66-65)
(23) @ North Carolina, 2012 (85-84)
(24) North Carolina, 2015 (92-90) (ot)
(25) North Carolina, 2001 ACC Tournament Final (79-53)
(26) West Virginia, 2010 NCAA Final Four (78-57)
(27) Arkansas, 1990 NCAA Final Four (97-83)
(28) North Carolina, 1986 (82-74)
(29) North Carolina, 1997 (80-73)
(30) North Carolina, 2011 (79-73)

(31) Navy, 1986 NCAA East Regional (71-50)
(32) Maryland, 2001 ACC Tournament Semi (84-82)
(33) Florida, 1994 NCAA Final Four (70-65)
(34) @ North Carolina, 1985 (93-77)
(35) North Carolina, 2005 (71-70)
(36) Gonzaga, 2015 South Regional (66-52)
(37) @ LSU, 1992 (77-67)
(38) @ North Carolina, 2004 (83-81) (ot)
(39) @ Virginia, 1984 (78-72)
(40) North Carolina, 2019 ACC Tournament Semi (74-73)

(41) @ Michigan, 1991-1992 (88-85) (ot)
(42) @ Virginia, 2015 (69-63)
(43) @ Louisville, 2019 (71-69)
(44) North Carolina, 2017 ACC Tournament Semi (93-83)
(45) Michigan, 1992-1993 (79-68)
(46) North Carolina, 2010 (82-50)
(47) @ North Carolina, 2020 (98-96) (ot)
(48) Virginia, 2016 (63-62) (Grayson Allen buzzer beater)
(49) @ North Carolina, 1988 (70-69)
(50) St. John’s, 1991 NCAA Midwest Regional (78-61)

(51) Xavier, 2004 NCAA South Regional (66-63)
(52) @ Virginia, 2019 (81-71)
(53) Maryland, 2002 (99-78)
(54) @ North Carolina, 1991 (83-77)
(55) Central Florida, 2019 NCAA 2nd Round (77-76)
(56) Arizona, 1990 (78-76)
(57) @ North Carolina, 2016 (74-73)
(58) @ Wake Forest, 1997 (73-68)
(60) North Carolina, 2011 ACC Tournament Final (75-58)

(61) Boston College, 2006 ACC Tournament Final (78-76)
(62) @ North Carolina, 2008 (89-78)
(63) North Carolina, 1993 (81-67)
(64) @ Wisconsin, 2014-2015 (80-70)
(65) @ North Carolina, 1989 (88-86)
(66) @ North Carolina, 2000 (90-86) (ot)
(67) North Carolina, 1992 ACC Tournament Final (94-74)
(68) Maryland, 2000 ACC Tournament Final (81-68)
(69) N.C. St., 2003 ACC Tournament Final (84-77)
(70) Florida St., 2009 ACC Tournament Final (79-69)

(71) Michigan St. (@ MSG), 2011-2012 (74-69) (Coach K’s win #903)
(72) St. John’s and Kansas, 1985-1986 Pre-season NIT (71-70 and 92-86)
(73) Notre Dame, 2017 ACC Tournament Final (75-69)
(74) North Carolina, 1999 ACC Tournament Final (96-73)
(75) Florida St., 2019 ACC Final (73-63)
(76) North Carolina, 1988 (96-81)
(77) N.C. St., 1988 ACC Tournament Semis (73-71)
(78) Miami, 2013 (79-76)
(79) Syracuse, 2014 (66-60)
(80) Oklahoma, 1986 (93-84)

(81) Kentucky (Champions Classic), 2018-2019 (118-84)
(82) @ UCLA, 1992 (75-65)
(83) @ Louisville, 2015 (63-52)
(84) Virginia Tech, 2019 NCAA Sweet 16 (75-73)
(85) Notre Dame, 1986 (75-74)
(86) Kansas, 2000 NCAA 2nd Round (69-64)
(87) Virginia Tech, 2005 (77-75)
(88) LSU, 1991 (88-70)
(89) Texas, 2005-2006 @ Meadowlands (97-66)
(90) @ Oklahoma, 1990-1991 (90-85)

(91) @ Michigan St., 2019-2020 (87-75)
(92) @ Kansas, 1988 (74-70)
(93) Arizona, 1997-1998 Maui final (95-87)
(94) @ Wake Forest, 2001 (82-80) (ot)
(95) St. John’s, 1991-1992 @ Greensboro (91-81)
(96) @ Michigan St, 2003-2004 (72-50)
(97) @ St. John’s, 1999 (92-88) (ot)
(98) North Carolina, 1992 (89-77)
(99) Indiana and Iowa, 1995-1996 Great Alaska Shootout (70-64 and 88-81)
(100) N.C. State, 1990 (85-82)

Honorable mention:
Washington, 1985 (71-59)
Maryland, 1986 (80-68)
@ Georgia Tech, 1990 (96-91)
Georgia Tech, 1990 (88-86)
North Carolina, 1991 (74-61)
@ Clemson, 1992 (98-97)
@ N.C. St., 1996 (71-70)
@ Maryland, 1996 (77-75)
UCLA, 1996 (85-66)
@ Virginia, 1997 (62-61)
UCLA, 1998 (120-84)
Florida, 1998-1999 (116-86)
Michigan, 1998-1999 (108-64)
Clemson 1999 (92-65)
North Carolina, 1999 (89-77)
@ North Carolina, 1999 (81-61)
Michigan St., 1999 Final Four (68-63)
North Carolina, 2000 (90-76)
Michigan, 2000-2001 (104-61)
Virginia, 2001 (103-61)
Kentucky, 2001-2002 @ Meadowlands (95-92) (ot)
@ North Carolina, 2002 (87-58)
North Carolina, 2002 (93-68)
@ Indiana, 2005-2006 (75-67)
Marquette, 2007-2008 Maui Final (77-73)
@ N. C. St., 2008 (87-86)
@ Purdue, 2008-2009 (76-60)
Maryland, 2009 (85-44)
Texas, 2009 NCAA 2nd Round (74-69)
Gonzaga, @ at MSG 2009-2010 (76-41)
Maryland, 2010 (77-56)
Michigan St., 2010-2011 (84-79)
Kansas (@ Maui), 2011-2012 (68-61)
N.C. St., 2012 (78-73)
Louisville (@ Atlantis), 2012-2013 (76-71)
North Carolina, 2013 (69-53)
North Carolina, 2014 (93-81)
@ St. John’s, 2015 (77-68)
@ North Carolina, 2015 (84-77)
@ Wake Forest, 2017 (85-83)
North Carolina, 2017 (86-78)
Michigan St. (Champions Classic), 2017-2018 (88-81)
PK 80 Semis and final, 2017-2018; Texas (85-78) (ot); #7 Florida (87-84)
North Carolina, 2018 (74-64)
@ Florida St., 2019 (80-78)
Virginia, 2019 (72-70)
Virginia Tech, 2019 NCAA Sweet 16 (75-73)
Kansas (Champions Classic), 2019-2020 (68-66)
Florida St, 2020 (70-65)
North Carolina, 2020 (89-76)

[gotoguy]

Thanks Nugget for the update and the groundwork begun in 2010.

I'd like to comment on rated game 72 (2). the 1985 Kansas early season win and prelude to another great 1986 FF rematch. One of my all time favorite Blue Devils, high school bus driver and 1986 Duke co-captain David Henderson. I seem to recall David had a big game in that Kansas final. And perhaps may have been the tourney MVP if one was chosen.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Where does 2020 @ UNC sit? A place at the table in the top 50? Not significant enough for the top 100? It would certainly qualify as one of the top dramatic wins.

[Bluedog]

Where does 2020 @ UNC sit? A place at the table in the top 50? Not significant enough for the top 100? It would certainly qualify as one of the top dramatic wins.

Nugget placed it at #47. Seems reasonable to me considering the unlikeliness of two buzzer beaters against your arch rival, but taking into consideration the regular season nature of it and the fact the UNC stunk this year. I mean, those two comebacks happening in one game had a 0.04% chance of happening combined if you believe ESPN's win predictor...

[Nugget]

Nugget placed it at #47. Seems reasonable to me considering the unlikeliness of two buzzer beaters against your arch rival, but taking into consideration the regular season nature of it and the fact the UNC stunk this year. I mean, those two comebacks happening in one game had a 0.04% chance of happening combined if you believe ESPN's win predictor...

Yep - the comeback and ending were amazing, but I personally downgrade it a bit given how weak UNC was this year. For much the same reason, I don't rate the 2005 win against Va Tech on Dockery's half-court shot as highly as others do.

[Phredd3]

Nugget placed it at #47. Seems reasonable to me considering the unlikeliness of two buzzer beaters against your arch rival, but taking into consideration the regular season nature of it and the fact the UNC stunk this year. I mean, those two comebacks happening in one game had a 0.04% chance of happening combined if you believe ESPN's win predictor...

The Austin Rivers game is #23 on the list. I'd place the Tre Jones game ahead of that one, personally.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

The Austin Rivers game is #23 on the list. I'd place the Tre Jones game ahead of that one, personally.

Well, yes, as a more exciting game. But what about the significance of the win? Defeating a last place ACC team is only important because of the Jersey color of our opponents.

[Nugget]

Well, yes, as a more exciting game. But what about the significance of the win? Defeating a last place ACC team is only important because of the Jersey color of our opponents.

That was my thinking, too. Until Kendall Marshall got hurt, it looked like the 2012 Heels were on a collision course with Kentucky for the national title. Coming back on them was more impressive than doing so against Christian Keeling et al.

Also, I try to fight recency bias.

[jv001]

A great list Nugget and I can't argue with any of the top games. I might be tempted to move up the 2015 Championship win over Wisconsin. I loved how Tyus and Grayson two freshmen who Duke to victory with spectacular 2nd half performances. The 2001 team that got Coach K his 3rd title is up there as well. It was 9 years between #2 and #3 but you have that one up at the top of your list. This thread needs to be on the list of all time DBR posts.

GoDuke!

[Phredd3]

Well, yes, as a more exciting game. But what about the significance of the win? Defeating a last place ACC team is only important because of the Jersey color of our opponents.

It will be interesting to me to see which one is remembered longer. I don't think many people who think about the Rivers game are thinking about the opponent's ranking. They are thinking about the color of the opponent's jersey and the expressions of the fans in the seats. Regarding that last, I do think there were better crowd shots after that game, so it may end up getting more air time and therefore lasting longer.

But, as K continually preaches, all the regular season games have the same importance, so I personally don't place any emphasis on the rankings at the time.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

It will be interesting to me to see which one is remembered longer. I don't think many people who think about the Rivers game are thinking about the opponent's ranking. They are thinking about the color of the opponent's jersey and the expressions of the fans in the seats. Regarding that last, I do think there were better crowd shots after that game, so it may end up getting more air time and therefore lasting longer.

But, as K continually preaches, all the regular season games have the same importance, so I personally don't place any emphasis on the rankings at the time.

Both games felt like we "stole" them. We had no right winning those games. That's part of what made them so satisfying.

[rsvman]

Didn't we steal the game in Cameron in 2015, too? As I recall, we were down by something like ten points with just around two minutes remaining.
IIRC, there were some Tyus heroics and we pulled it out.