Amanda Knapp
Duke University's basketball program has a rich history in the annual March Madness tournament, having appeared in the Final Four 13 times and winning the national championship five times. In 2025, Duke faced off against the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison in the first round of the tournament. The Duke Blue Devils, known for their high-powered offense, were favourites to win. However, in a stunning upset, the NDSU Bison pulled off a remarkable victory, shocking the college basketball world and advancing to the next round of the tournament. This game marked a significant moment in March Madness history, as the underdog NDSU Bison overcame the odds and defeated a powerhouse program like Duke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | April 5, 2025 |
| Winner | Houston |
| Loser | Duke |
| Final Score | 70-67 |
| Location | San Antonio |
| Stadium | Alamodome |
| Houston's top scorer | L.J. Cryer (26 points) |
| Duke's top scorer | Cooper Flagg (27 points) |
| Houston's next opponent | Florida |
| Duke's coach | Jon Scheyer |
| Houston's coach | Kelvin Sampson |
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What You'll Learn
Duke Blue Devils' history in the March Madness tournament
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team has a rich history in the March Madness tournament, with the program becoming synonymous with the annual college basketball spectacle in the mid-1980s. The Blue Devils have the fifth-most NCAA Tournament appearances of any team, cementing their status as one of the blueblooded royalty of college basketball.
Duke first became a March Madness mainstay in 1980 when they hired Mike Krzyzewski as head coach. Over 42 seasons, Krzyzewski won 1,129 games, including 101 victories in the NCAA tournament. Under Krzyzewski, Duke made 13 Final Four appearances, including five in a row from 1988 to 1992, and won five national championships. The Blue Devils won their first national championship in 1991, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 72-65. They successfully defended their title in 1992, becoming the first program to win back-to-back national championships since UCLA's streak of seven straight from 1967 to 1973.
Duke's success continued under Krzyzewski, with the Blue Devils making the Final Four in 1994, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2022. They won three more national championships during this period, with their last title coming in 2015. Overall, Duke has appeared in 11 championship games and 18 Final Fours, and has the fourth-most wins of any NCAA men's basketball program. The Blue Devils also have the best winning percentage in the history of the men's NCAA Tournament, with an impressive .754 winning percentage.
Duke's individual players have also achieved significant success in March Madness. Christian Laettner, who led the Blue Devils to their first national championship in 1991, was the only collegiate player chosen for the Dream Team that won Olympic gold in Barcelona. In 2015, Tyus Jones was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player, averaging 13.0 points and 4.5 assists and scoring 23 points in the championship game. Eleven Duke players have been named the National Player of the Year, and 71 players have been selected in the NBA draft.
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Duke's 2025 March Madness performance
Duke University's Men's basketball team has a long and successful history in the March Madness tournament. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewski from 1980 to 2022, the team established itself as a dominant force, winning five national championships and making 13 Final Four appearances.
In 2025, the Duke Blue Devils entered the March Madness tournament as the No. 1 seed and a favourite to win. Led by National Player of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg, the team boasted a blend of size, experience, star power, and depth, with several players expected to have promising NBA careers.
Duke's 2025 March Madness run began with high expectations and strong performances. They reached the Final Four, where they faced a formidable opponent in the Houston Cougars, who were seeking their first national championship. The Blue Devils started strong, leading by as many as 14 points, and their offense was on fire, matching Houston's three-point shots in the second half. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the final eight minutes. Houston went on a 25-8 run, exploiting Duke's high-powered offense and clamping down on defense. Duke's performance faltered in the closing minutes, with missed field goal attempts and turnovers, ultimately squandering their lead.
The game ended with a stunning victory for the Houston Cougars, who came back from a significant deficit to defeat Duke 70-67. The loss was a heartbreaker for the Blue Devils, who came close to reaching their first national championship game since 2015. Despite the defeat, Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had a standout performance, scoring a game-high 27 points.
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Duke's 2025 star player Cooper Flagg
Duke's star player Cooper Flagg is a freshman who has been deemed the best player in college basketball in 2025. He has been recognised as the nation's top-ranked recruit, leading Duke in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, while ranking second in blocks.
Flagg has been a driving force for Duke, with a relentless competitive edge and mature focus. He has been a key player in the Blue Devils' success, leading them to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Flagg's impressive performances include a 30-point, 6-rebound, and 7-assist effort in a Sweet 16 win over Arizona. He also set an ACC freshman record with 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in a win over Notre Dame.
Flagg's impact on the Duke Blue Devils extends beyond his impressive statistics. He has been described as an incredible teammate and a person by his coach, Jon Scheyer. Flagg's dedication to his craft and his team is evident in his commitment to improving his sleep schedule and attending pre-practice recovery sessions.
Following his outstanding freshman season, Flagg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He is considered the favourite to be selected as the number one overall pick. Flagg's early exit from Duke was expected, given his status as the top prospect in the 2024 high school class and his reclassification in August 2023.
Cooper Flagg's talent, dedication, and impact on the Duke Blue Devils have solidified his place as one of the team's star players in 2025. His contributions on and off the court have left a lasting impression, and he is poised to continue his successful basketball career in the NBA.
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Duke's overall March Madness record
Duke University's men's basketball team, the Blue Devils, has a strong history in the March Madness tournament. The team first became associated with the tournament in the mid-1980s, but their success began when Mike Krzyzewski was hired as head coach in 1980. Under Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils became a fixture in the tournament, achieving:
- 119 wins over 45 tournament appearances
- 13 Final Four appearances, including five in a row from 1988 to 1992
- 5 National Championships
- 28 Sweet 16 appearances
- 23 Elite Eight appearances
- 14 No. 1 seeds since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985
Krzyzewski led the team to victory in his first tournament win in 1985, beating Pepperdine in the first round. The following year, the Blue Devils made their first Final Four under Krzyzewski, ultimately losing to Louisville in the final. In 1991, Duke upset the heavily favored UNLV Runnin' Rebels in a rematch of the 1990 final, which they had lost by 30 points. The team went on to win their first NCAA Championship that year. Ranked #1 in 1992, Duke played what ESPN called "the greatest college basketball game ever played" against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight, winning 104-103 in overtime.
Duke has continued to perform well in the tournament in recent years, making it to the Semifinals in 2025, the Elite Eight in 2024, and the Final Four in 2022, Krzyzewski's last tournament appearance. Overall, Krzyzewski won 1,129 games across 42 seasons at Duke, including 101 victories in the NCAA tournament.
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Duke's head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke University's head coach, Jon Scheyer, is a former professional basketball player and coach. Scheyer was born on August 24, 1987, and attended Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois. He was a prolific high school scorer, leading his team to an Illinois state basketball championship and being named Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2006. He was also named to the Illinois First Team for the decade by ESPN, who called him "one of the greatest Illinois high school players of all time."
Scheyer continued his success at Duke University, where he played for the Blue Devils from 2007 to 2010 and served as co-captain in 2009 and 2010. He was a consensus Second Team All-American and earned numerous other accolades during his college career. After graduating with a B.A. in History in 2010, Scheyer played professionally overseas before returning to Duke as a coach.
In April 2013, Scheyer was added to Duke's men's basketball staff by head coach Mike Krzyzewski as a special assistant. He was promoted to full assistant coach in 2014 and then to co-associate head coach in 2018. On June 2, 2021, it was announced that Scheyer would become Duke's head basketball coach following Krzyzewski's retirement after the 2021-22 season. Scheyer is the 20th head coach in Duke University's basketball history and has led the Blue Devils to success, including a Final Four appearance in 2025.
Scheyer is known for his strong offensive skills, decision-making abilities, and understanding of the game. He has also been praised for his mentorship of players, with several of his draftees becoming first-round picks in the NBA. As a head coach, Scheyer has a vast understanding of the unique culture of Duke Basketball and is committed to carrying it forward. He is considered a rising star in the profession, and his impact on the team is undeniable.
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