Coach K historic run has come to an end. He’s the greatest coach in college basketball history with multiple great teams. I’ll give my rake on his top 5 great teams throughout his career. Coach K has accumulated 1,170 career wins. Over the course of his 46 year career there have been teams that were good but not good enough to win the National Championship or reach the final four. Those teams will not be in consideration regardless of how good they were.
- 1991-92 (34-2, National championship): This team was the best Coach K has ever coached in his career. The starting lineup – Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, Thomas Hill, Brian Davis and Christian Laettner – was loaded and each averaged double figures. Laettner was a member of the Dream Team and Hill went on to have a solid NBA career. This Blue Devil’s team defeated opponents by 15.4 points per game and shot 54% from the field. This Duke team went on to beat the Fab Five by 20 points to repeat as National Champions.
- 1990-91 ( 32-7, National championship): Dukes upset of UNLV in the Final Four is still one of the most memorable moments in college basketball history. Duke snapped Larry Johnsons Runnin Rebels 45 game winning streak. The previous year Duke lost to UNLV by 30 so the Blue Devils wanted revenge.
- 2000-01 ( 35-4 National championship): In the pros Carlos Boozer ended up becoming the best player from this team. But the two Stars were Jay Williams and Shane Battier. Then you can’t forget about Chris Duhon and Mike Dunleavy JR. From an offensive stand point this was one of Coach K’s best teams. They averaged 90.7 points per game, Shane Battier won the Wooden Award. This Blue Devil’s team staged a memorable comeback against Maryland in the Final Four, then faced a juggernaut against Arizona that was lead by Richard Jefferson and Gilbert Arenas.
- 2014-15 ( 35-4 National championship): Coach K had Kyrie, Austin River’s, Jabari Parker, and Jahlil Okafor. This was one of Coach K’s best teams look at the name’s of future NBA players and the best player Kyrie didn’t even play a full season. Also they had a great supporting cast with Justice Winslow, Tyus Jones, and veteran point guard Quinn Cook. This team was stacked from head to toe many people forgot they had Grayson Allen, who had 16 points off the bench in the title game.
- 2009-10 ( 35-5 National championship): This team flew under the radar of all the great teams Coach K has had. Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were standout juniors and Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, and Mason Plumlee were role players that knew how to play their roles perfectly. The Blue Devils played Butler in the National championship which was a close game.
Throughout, history Coach K has proven to be an outstanding coach. He has won many Championships and had many great players. But one player can not win you so many championships, it takes a great team and great leadership. Coach K embodies what it means to be a leader for his young players. This was my list of teams that I think were the best do you agree or disagree.
