1991-92 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 1991–92 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team was a Division I college basketball team that competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference
. Led by All-American Christian Laettner
, Duke won its 2nd national championship in as many years to become the first repeating team since UCLA
's seven-year dynasty from 1967 to 1973. Although the 1995 Arkansas and 1997 Kentucky teams would come close to successfully defending their national titles, Duke's feat would not be accomplished again in college basketball for another 15 years until the Florida Gators
did it in 2007.
did it in 1973. Losing only Greg Koubek
to graduation, Duke retained its core players including Laettner, Bobby Hurley
, and Grant Hill
and was able to add recruits Cherokee Parks
and Erik Meek to its lineup.
in the Dean Dome by a score of 75–73. However, Duke would only lose another game (to Wake Forest
72–68) for the rest of the season and finished the season with a 25–2 record and the 10th regular-season championship in school history.
as the No. 1 seed. They defeated North Carolina in the ACC title game 94–74 to capture their 9th ACC Tournament Championship in school history. As a result, the Blue Devils received a No. 1 seed in the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament
.
coached by Rick Pitino
. In perhaps the greatest college basketball game in history, Christian Laettner
hit a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper on a long inbounds pass from Grant Hill
, and Duke got a 104–103 overtime win over Kentucky to earn its fifth straight Final Four appearance. Laettner scored 31 points in that game, making all 10 of his field goal attempts (including one three-pointer
) and all 10 of his free throws.
After defeating an Indiana
team led by Calbert Cheaney, Duke reached the title game for the third consecutive time to face off against Michigan
's Fab Five
, led by freshmen Chris Webber
and Jalen Rose
. The Blue Devils ended the Fab Five's dream run in a 71–51 contest to become the first team since UCLA 19 years ago to repeat as National Champions. Bobby Hurley was named NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
.
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. Led by All-American Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner
Christian Donald Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. He had a distinguished college and national career, and played in the National Basketball Association for thirteen seasons, from 1992–2005. He is presently a minority holder for the Major League...
, Duke won its 2nd national championship in as many years to become the first repeating team since UCLA
UCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
's seven-year dynasty from 1967 to 1973. Although the 1995 Arkansas and 1997 Kentucky teams would come close to successfully defending their national titles, Duke's feat would not be accomplished again in college basketball for another 15 years until the Florida Gators
2006-07 Florida Gators men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Florida Gators men's basketball team represented the University of Florida in the sport of basketball during the 2006–07 college basketball season. The Gators competed in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern...
did it in 2007.
Roster
Expectations
The Blue Devils started the season as the defending National Champions, and were looking to repeat as National Champions for the first time since UCLAUCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
did it in 1973. Losing only Greg Koubek
Greg Koubek
Greg Koubek is a retired American basketball player best known for his collegiate career at Duke University between 1988 and 1991. He also played professionally overseas after college for several years....
to graduation, Duke retained its core players including Laettner, Bobby Hurley
Bobby Hurley
Robert Matthew 'Bobby' Hurley is an American former basketball player and currently an assistant coach at Wagner College.-Biography:...
, and Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Grant Hill is the name of:* Grant Hill, American basketball player* Grant Hill , Canadian politician* Grant Hill, San Diego, California, an urban neighboorhood in central San Diego...
and was able to add recruits Cherokee Parks
Cherokee Parks
Cherokee Bryan Parks is an American professional basketball player.A 6' 11" , 240 lbs center, Parks played his college basketball at Duke University under coach Mike Krzyzewski and won the 1992 national title during his freshman year...
and Erik Meek to its lineup.
Regular season
The Blue Devils started the season ranked No. 1 and won its first 17 games. Their unbeaten streak came to an end when they lost a close contest to North CarolinaNorth Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
in the Dean Dome by a score of 75–73. However, Duke would only lose another game (to Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference and their homecourt is the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Their only Final Four appearance was in 1962 and through the years they have produced several NBA players. The Demon Deacons have...
72–68) for the rest of the season and finished the season with a 25–2 record and the 10th regular-season championship in school history.
Conference Tournament
Duke entered the ACC Tournament1992 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1992 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Charlotte Coliseum. Duke won the tournament. They defeated North Carolina in the championship game. Florida State played in the ACC Tournament for this first time. This forced the addition...
as the No. 1 seed. They defeated North Carolina in the ACC title game 94–74 to capture their 9th ACC Tournament Championship in school history. As a result, the Blue Devils received a No. 1 seed in the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament
1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 19, 1992, and ended with the championship game on April 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
.
NCAA tournament
The Blue Devils had little trouble progressing through the first three rounds, but faced the toughest test of the season in the East Regional Final against sixth-ranked and No. 2 seed KentuckyKentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
coached by Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
. In perhaps the greatest college basketball game in history, Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner
Christian Donald Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. He had a distinguished college and national career, and played in the National Basketball Association for thirteen seasons, from 1992–2005. He is presently a minority holder for the Major League...
hit a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper on a long inbounds pass from Grant Hill
Grant Hill (basketball)
Grant Henry Hill is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Phoenix Suns. As a collegian with Duke University and early in his professional career with the Detroit Pistons, Hill was widely considered to be one of the best all-around players in the game, often...
, and Duke got a 104–103 overtime win over Kentucky to earn its fifth straight Final Four appearance. Laettner scored 31 points in that game, making all 10 of his field goal attempts (including one three-pointer
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
) and all 10 of his free throws.
After defeating an Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
team led by Calbert Cheaney, Duke reached the title game for the third consecutive time to face off against Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
's Fab Five
Fab Five (University of Michigan)
The Fab Five was the nickname for a 1991 University of Michigan men's basketball team recruitment class that is considered by some to be "the greatest class ever recruited." The class consisted of Detroit natives Chris Webber and Jalen Rose, Chicago native Juwan Howard, and Texas high school...
, led by freshmen Chris Webber
Chris Webber
Mayce Edward Christopher "Chris" Webber, III , nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a former All-NBA First Teamer, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former #1 overall NBA Draftee...
and Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose
Jalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
. The Blue Devils ended the Fab Five's dream run in a 71–51 contest to become the first team since UCLA 19 years ago to repeat as National Champions. Bobby Hurley was named NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
At the conclusion of the NCAA men's and women's Division I basketball championships , the Associated Press selects a Most Outstanding Player. The MOP need not be, but almost always is a member of the Championship team, especially since the third place game was eliminated after 1981...
.
1991–92 Schedule and Results
Accomplishments
- 2nd straight national championship (1991–1992)
- 3rd straight appearance in national championship game (1990–1992)
- 5th straight appearance in Final Four (1988–1992)
- Held AP No. 1 ranking from start to finish throughout season (18 polls)
- Christian Laettner received several Player of the Year accolades in 1992:
- NABC Player of the Year
- AP National Player of the Year
- Oscar Robertson TrophyOscar Robertson TrophyThe Oscar Robertson Trophy is given out annually to outstanding men's college basketball players by the United States Basketball Writers Association . The trophy is considered to be the oldest of its kind and has been given out since 1959...
- Wooden Award
- Naismith AwardNaismith College Player of the YearThe Naismith College Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the top men's and women's collegiate basketball players. It is named in honor of the inventor of basketball , Dr. James Naismith....
- Adolph Rupp TrophyAdolph Rupp TrophyThe Adolph F. Rupp Trophy is an award given annually to the top player in men's Division I NCAA basketball. It is considered one of the top awards in college basketball. The recipient of the award is selected by an independent panel consisting of national sportswriters, coaches, and sports...
- Christian Laettner was a unanimous First Team All-American selection.
- Christian Laettner became the only player to start in four consecutive Final Fours. He also played in a record-setting 23 games in the NCAA Tournament. (To break this record, one would have to play in four consecutive championship games.)
- Four players received All-ACC honors:
- Christian Laettner (1st Team)
- Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley (2nd Team)
- Thomas Hill (3rd Team)
- Three players from the 1992 squad (Laettner, Hurley, and Grant Hill) had their jerseys retired by Duke.
- Mike Krzyzewski was named the Naismith College Coach of the YearNaismith College Coach of the YearNaismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...