Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny the fact Duke has been a powerhouse in college basketball for decades. The Blue Devils are once again the team to beat in this year's Big Dance following a 31-3 season and yet another ACC championship. It's little wonder then that their +300 March Madness odds are the shortest of any team in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Let's take a look back at Duke's history of postseason dominance while also keeping an eye on their next March Madness matchup.
Duke NCAA Tournament history
Duke's tournament history is rich and impressive, to say the least. The Blue Devils have won five national championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015) and have made the Final Four 17 times. This legacy places them among the most successful programs in NCAA history.
Historically, Duke has been known for its tough defense, well-structured offense, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, making the Blue Devils a favorite among bettors.
| March Madness record | 122-41 overall, 54-10 as No. 1 Seed |
| March Madness appearances | 47 |
| Final Four appearances | 17 |
| National championships | 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015) |
Duke all-time starting five
- PG: Bobby Hurley — A four-year starter at Duke, Hurley was an All-American, a two-time NCAA champion, and the Most Outstanding Player of the 1992 NCAA Tournament.
- SG: J.J. Redick — A winner of the Wooden Award and Naismith Award, Redick was a lights-out shooter who briefly held the ACC record for most career points.
- SF: Grant Hill — Earned ACC Player of the Year in 1994 and was a pivotal part of the Blue Devils' 1991 and 1992 title runs.
- PF: Christian Laettner — Led the Blue Devils to their first two national titles in school history in 1991 and 1992.
- C: Elton Brand — The ACC Player of the Year in 1999, Brand went on to be the 1st overall pick in his NBA Draft class that same year.
Duke MOP winners
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Tyus Jones |
| 2010 | Kyle Singler |
| 2001 | Shane Battier |
| 1992 | Bobby Hurley |
| 1991 | Christian Laettner |
| 1963 | Art Heyman |
This tournament run will show if Cooper Flagg will join the elite company listed above. The freshman forward currently has the shortest Most Outstanding Player odds at -180.
First Up: No. 16 Mount St. Mary's (Friday, March 21 at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS)
Duke managed to win its last two games without Flagg in the lineup, but the freshman forward has been given the green light to play against the Blue Devils' first-round opponent, No. 16 Mount St. Mary's. Duke has found much ease handling No. 16 seeds in the past (7-0), and this time around should be no different.
Check out our Mount St. Mary's vs. Duke prediction ahead of tip-off.
Duke vs No. 16 seeds
Let's take a look at how Duke has fared in the past when it has faced No. 16 seeds:
- 1999 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 UNC Asheville 93–56
- 2002 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Southern 97–60
- 2003 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Liberty 87–58
- 2006 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Southern 70–54
- 2007 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 VCU (Virginia Commonwealth) 70–54
- 2011 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Hampton 87–45
- 2018 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Iona 89–67
- 2022 NCAA Tournament: Duke defeats No. 16 Cal State Fullerton 78–61
