Such a great person. I became a moderate to serious Duke fan in 1978 watching Spanarkel, Gminski, and Banks lead the team to a title run.
Had been a Wooden fan - especially the Bull Walton era. But I also really respected the way Bobby Knight coached. Particularly his man to man defense. So when Mike went to Duke I was pretty pumped. Everyone knows the story of the first few years.
I think it was the Dawkins-Alarie-Henderson Jr. year, Amaker as a sophomore, when it felt like the program had really their d a corner. I remember a game at Cameron in 1985, can’t recall who we played, and Dawkins and Amaker weee just dominating on the defensive end. Watching the floor slap with those two was amazing.
Then for a bit I thought K might be one of those coaches who can never win the big one until ‘91. From 86 to 92, Duke either went to the Final Four (incl. 88-92) or lost to the Champion (87 IU).
In 1991 I was living in the Czech Republic (Prague) and drove 9-10 hours to a friend’s house in western Germany, near France and Luxembourg, to be able to watch the Final Four, which came on at 2 in the morning.
Winning that year - just one of the best moments as a fan. But 4 more after ‘91? Astounding.
Regardless of next week, a record 13th FF - most all time - in this era is astounding. Greatest coach in the Post 1980 era. 13 FFs is just such an amazing ach
5 NCAA championships
13 Final Fours
15 ACC Championships
13 ACC Regular Season Titles
3 Olympic Gold Medals
3 Time Naismith Coach of the Year.
Let’s Go! Play your guts out and Win the Next Game!
Had been a Wooden fan - especially the Bull Walton era. But I also really respected the way Bobby Knight coached. Particularly his man to man defense. So when Mike went to Duke I was pretty pumped. Everyone knows the story of the first few years.
I think it was the Dawkins-Alarie-Henderson Jr. year, Amaker as a sophomore, when it felt like the program had really their d a corner. I remember a game at Cameron in 1985, can’t recall who we played, and Dawkins and Amaker weee just dominating on the defensive end. Watching the floor slap with those two was amazing.
Then for a bit I thought K might be one of those coaches who can never win the big one until ‘91. From 86 to 92, Duke either went to the Final Four (incl. 88-92) or lost to the Champion (87 IU).
In 1991 I was living in the Czech Republic (Prague) and drove 9-10 hours to a friend’s house in western Germany, near France and Luxembourg, to be able to watch the Final Four, which came on at 2 in the morning.
Winning that year - just one of the best moments as a fan. But 4 more after ‘91? Astounding.
Regardless of next week, a record 13th FF - most all time - in this era is astounding. Greatest coach in the Post 1980 era. 13 FFs is just such an amazing ach
5 NCAA championships
13 Final Fours
15 ACC Championships
13 ACC Regular Season Titles
3 Olympic Gold Medals
3 Time Naismith Coach of the Year.
Let’s Go! Play your guts out and Win the Next Game!
