25 Years Ago Today

[Tom B.]

Still the biggest win in Duke basketball history. And I was there!

https://youtu.be/csETfUrD6ME?t=4521

I've cued the video to the 4:00 mark in the second half, just before Greg Anthony fouls out.

[FerryFor50]

I'm wondering if there was a single win that was the turning point in Duke basketball. There are many candidates, but I'd argue that the UNLV win is #1, given the insurmountable odds and the amount it raised Duke's profile, not to mention leading to the first championship for K.

Other candidates:

Duke vs. UConn 1990
Duke vs. Kentucky 1992
Duke vs. Michigan 1992

Any others?

[aimo]

Watched it in the Hideaway b/c Satisfactions (Lakewood) was packed. Naked people running around outside afterwards. Good times!

[wsb3]

The years of frustration melted away that night

[OldPhiKap]

I'm wondering if there was a single win that was the turning point in Duke basketball. There are many candidates, but I'd argue that the UNLV win is #1, given the insurmountable odds and the amount it raised Duke's profile, not to mention leading to the first championship for K.

Other candidates:

Duke vs. UConn 1990
Duke vs. Kentucky 1992
Duke vs. Michigan 1992

Any others?

Duke v. Temple, 1988


(I assume you mean in the K era)

Also, sweeping all three games against UNC in 1988 -- really changed the dynamics of the rivalry.

[FerryFor50]

Duke v. Temple, 1988


(I assume you mean in the K era)

Also, sweeping all three games against UNC in 1988 -- really changed the dynamics of the rivalry.

I played a fun game of word association when you mentioned Temple.

Temple was coached by John Chaney.

Chaney once had it out with a young, upstart coach at UMass.

[OldPhiKap]

I played a fun game of word association when you mentioned Temple.

Temple was coached by John Chaney.

Chaney once had it out with a young, upstart coach at UMass.

I think about that encounter every time Cal's name comes up. Thanks for the link!

[FerryFor50]

I think about that encounter every time Cal's name comes up. Thanks for the link!

If only they hadn't held Chaney back...

[superdave]

Biggest shot in Duke history

Biggest free throws in Duke history

[FerryFor50]

Biggest shot in Duke history

Biggest free throws in Duke history

Also, biggest dunk.

[devildeac]

I'm wondering if there was a single win that was the turning point in Duke basketball. There are many candidates, but I'd argue that the UNLV win is #1, given the insurmountable odds and the amount it raised Duke's profile, not to mention leading to the first championship for K.

Other candidates:

Duke vs. UConn 1990
Duke vs. Kentucky 1992
Duke vs. Michigan 1992

Any others?

82-50 will always hold a warm, special place in my heart but this 79-77 win over UNLV is likely the most important W in Duke MBB history.

[FerryFor50]

82-50 will always hold a warm, special place in my heart but this 79-77 win over UNLV is likely the most important W in Duke MBB history.

Well, I mean in terms of making Duke a national power/household name.

Sure, beating UNC is nice and all. But what win really put Duke into the same conversation as Kentucky, UCLA, UNC, etc?

[rsvman]

A couple of thoughts.

1) Anthony fouls out on a charge call. No replay of the interaction. No endless referee second-guessing. Just "it's a charge!" and then Anthony goes to the bench. How refreshing was that? I can't remember how long it's been since I saw something like that happen even in November, let alone in the national semi-final game.

2) How long was the shot clock? I thought it was 45 seconds, but it almost seemed longer. They never showed it until it was under 15.


Anyway, great, great win.

[jv001]

Duke v. Temple, 1988


(I assume you mean in the K era)

Also, sweeping all three games against UNC in 1988 -- really changed the dynamics of the rivalry.

The sweep of the cheats and Duke's rise to fame, probably caused Saint Dean to begin the years of cheating. Was the Temple game the one where Billy Sky King held Mark Macon to way below his average? Those were great years but the win against UNLV was the biggest win . GoDuke!

[OldPhiKap]

The sweep of the cheats and Duke's rise to fame, probably caused Saint Dean to begin the years of cheating. Was the Temple game the one where Billy Sky King held Mark Macon to way below his average? Those were great years but the win against UNLV was the biggest win . GoDuke!

Sure was. Macon Bacon.

[TNDukeFan]

To me what stood out was officials having the guts to call a foul with 12 seconds left.

[Duke79UNLV77]

Still the biggest win in Duke basketball history. And I was there!

https://youtu.be/csETfUrD6ME?t=4521

I've cued the video to the 4:00 mark in the second half, just before Greg Anthony fouls out.

I was too! But, perhaps my name gave me away ...

I remember not being satisfied with just being close at half time and believing we could win. Their big men could not match up with Laettner, and Augmon had not faced a Grant Hill to match, and even exceed, his length and athleticism before. Has anyone ever seen Bobby Hurley and Tyus Jones in the same place at the same time?

[bluenorth]

Still the biggest win in Duke basketball history. And I was there!

https://youtu.be/csETfUrD6ME?t=4521

I've cued the video to the 4:00 mark in the second half, just before Greg Anthony fouls out.

I was there too, courtesy of a D.I coach and an extra ticket he had. The memory that still sticks out was thinking "Why did Hurley throw that pass?" just before Hill finished the play. Just a great weekend all around. Twenty-five years though - are you sure it isn't more like 15 or 16? We can't be that old!

[94duke]

A couple of thoughts.

1) Anthony fouls out on a charge call. No replay of the interaction. No endless referee second-guessing. Just "it's a charge!" and then Anthony goes to the bench. How refreshing was that? I can't remember how long it's been since I saw something like that happen even in November, let alone in the national semi-final game.

2) How long was the shot clock? I thought it was 45 seconds, but it almost seemed longer. They never showed it until it was under 15.


Anyway, great, great win.

A couple of things for me.

1. On Laettner's last rebound where he was fouled for the winning free throws: today, that foul would never be called. (of course, he made the put-back )
2. The crowd after the game was over: wow it was loud.

[ramdevil]

My memories of this day (weekend): Mr. ramdevil & I went backpacking - Mr. ramdevil carried a (rather large) portable radio & 4 D batteries so we could listen to the game. But it snowed, so we cut the trip short and got back in time to watch on TV.

-ramdevil