The Duke Blue Devils have been one of the most dominant college basketball programs in NCAA history. As the 2024 March Madness tournament kicks off, they look to add to their decorated resume. Duke heads into March Madness as a No. 5 seed, facing No. 12 Oral Roberts in the first round on Friday.
With five national championships and a record-high tournament winning percentage of 0.755, Duke is no stranger to March success. However, this year marks the first tournament without legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski at the helm. His replacement, 33-year-old Jon Scheyer, faces sky-high expectations to continue Duke’s March Madness prowess.
Decades of Dominance for Blue Devils
Duke’s reign of dominance goes back decades. They have made 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five straight from 1988-1992. Their 17 Final Four showings trail only North Carolina and UCLA.
The Blue Devils also boast 19 ACC championships and 22 ACC Tournament titles. For 145 total weeks, they have been the top-ranked team in the AP poll, ending the season at No. 1 eight times. From 1996-2007, Duke made a staggering 200 straight poll appearances, the third-longest streak ever.
With sustained greatness spanning generations, Duke has cemented itself among college basketball’s elite. Legends like Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and JJ Redick all shined bright under the March spotlight in Durham.
With North Carolina recently legalizing sports betting, there is extra anticipation surrounding Duke’s March Madness chances this year. Fans across the state can now legally bet on the Blue Devils’ tournament run. Whether Duke lives up to their lofty expectations or gets upset early on, sports betting adds a new layer of excitement for North Carolinians during March Madness. Offshore sites have offered betting lines on Duke for years, but now local sportsbooks will facilitate betting on Duke’s national title hopes.
Scheyer Tasked with Continued Excellence
While the 2023 squad lacks the customary leadership of Coach K, they enter March poised to make noise. Duke is led by the top-rated freshman class in the country, headlined by forwards Mark Mitchell and Kyle Filipowski.
In their first season under 33-year-old coach Jon Scheyer, Duke captured yet another ACC Tournament title last week. After beating Miami, Virginia Tech and North Carolina in successive days, the young Blue Devils appear ready for the Madness.
Replacing a legend is never easy, but Scheyer has kept Duke rolling in his first year at the helm. An ACC championship is nice, but Blue Devil standards demand consistent Final Four trips and national title contention. Now Scheyer aims to lead Duke to their sixth-ever national championship.
With stars Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin gone to the NBA after last year’s Final Four run, Scheyer needs his less experienced stars to step up on the big stage. How players like Filipowski, Mitchell and guard Jeremy Roach perform under the bright lights of March will determine Duke’s fate.
Oral Roberts Provides Tricky First Test
Duke’s tournament opener against Oral Roberts will prove a fascinating matchup. The Summit League champion Golden Eagles are led by junior guard Max Abmas, the nation’s leading scorer just two years ago.
In 2021, Oral Roberts became just the second-ever 15-seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen. They took down both Ohio State and Florida on their Cinderella run. Now back after a one-year hiatus, the Golden Eagles have proven they can compete with college basketball’s elite.
With upset potential, Oral Roberts cannot be taken lightly. Sharpshooting guard Issac McBride and versatile forward Kareem Thompson make the Golden Eagles a dangerous first-round foe. They have the talent and belief to challenge Duke, especially with the pressure on Scheyer’s young team.
All Eyes on Duke’s Title Hopes
The Blue Devils and Golden Eagles tip off their tournament in Orlando on Friday. All of college basketball waits eagerly to see if talent-rich Duke can make another storied March run. And whether Scheyer has what it takes to step out of Krzyzewski’s shadow and maintain their dominance when it matters most.
Duke begins their quest for ring number six against a tricky opponent. Win or lose, storylines will emerge from their opener. March Madness is officially here, and the Blue Devils aim to show why they reign supreme when the spotlight shines brightest.
