Poll: Best Duke title game opponent

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Duke has won 5 NCAA Titles. Which Championship game opponent was the best?

1991 Kansas
27-8 (10-4 Big Eight)
Final coaches poll: #13
Regular season conference: Tied for 1st
Conference tourney: Lost 2nd Round (Nebraska)

NCAA Tournament - #3 Seed
Sweet 16: #2 Indiana
Elite 8: #1 Arkansas
Final Four: #1 UNC
Title Game: #2 Duke (65-72)

HC: Roy Williams
PG: Adonis Jordan
SG: Terry Brown
SF: Alonzo Jamison
SF: Mike Maddox
C: Mark Randall

1992 Michigan
24-8 (11-7 Big Ten)
Final coaches poll: #16
Regular season conference: Tied for 3rd
Conference tourney: N/A

NCAA Tournament - #6 Seed
Sweet 16: #2 Oklahoma State
Elite 8: #1 Ohio State
Final Four: #4 Cincinnati
Title Game: #1 Duke (51-71)

HC: Steve Fisher
PG: Jalen Rose
SG: Jimmy King
SF: Ray Jackson
PF: Juwan Howard
C: Chris Webber

2001 Arizona
28–8 (15–3 Pac-10)
Final coaches poll: #2
Regular season conference: 2nd
Conference tourney: N/A

NCAA Tournament - #2 Seed
Sweet 16: #3 Mississippi
Elite 8: #1 Illinois
Final Four: #1 Michigan St
Title Game: #1 Duke (72-82)

HC: Lute Olsen
PG: Jason Gardner
SG: Gilbert Arenas
SF: Richard Jefferson
PF: Luke Walton
C: Loren Woods

2010 Butler
33–5 (18–0 Horizon)
Final coaches poll: #2
Regular season conference: 1st
Conference tourney: 1st

NCAA Tournament - #5 Seed
Sweet 16: #1 Syracuse
Elite 8: #2 Kansas St
Final Four: #5 Michigan St
Title Game: #1 Duke (59-61)

HC: Brad Stevens
PG: Ronald Nored
SG: Shelvin Mack
SF: Willie Veasley
PF: Gordon Hayward
C: Matt Howard

2015 Wisconsin
36–4 (16–2 Big Ten)
Final coaches poll: #2
Regular season conference: 1st
Conference tourney: 1st

NCAA Tournament - #1 Seed
Sweet 16: #4 UNC
Elite 8: #2 Arizona
Final Four: #1 Kentucky
Title Game: #1 Duke (63-68)

HC: Bo Ryan
PG: Bronson Koenig
SG: Josh Gasser
SF: Sam Dekker
PF: Nigel Hayes
C: Frank Kaminsky

 

[TheDude1]

I urge everyone to look at those Arizona starters before voting...

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

I voted mine because Roy already turned down being the best opponent.

 

[HuffyJB]

Every one of those teams features multiple pros outside of 91 KU. The Fab Five group is impressive, but this is when they were freshmen and not yet what guys like Webber and Howard would become as pros. My vote goes to that Arizona team.

 

[DukeDenver]

Butler has several NBA players and features god’s gift to coaching. I still have to go with Michigan. That team was dynamic.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

I urge everyone to look at those Arizona starters before voting...

Jefferson was a highlight reel around the rim and Arenas had a lot of variety in his game but neither of them were great college players. Both were streaky shooters and turnover machines. Neither sniffed All-American status. Luke Walton was only a sophomore at the time and virtually a non-factor..... I think you’re tacking their NBA careers into the vote when you say to look at the names.

Overall that team was really good, I can understand picking them. To round out those guys Woods was a 7ft shot blocking animal and Jason Gardner was a 5 foot something little man that ran the team well. That one kid... I think his last name was Wright, he was pretty good too.

 

[Laettshow]

I have to go with Wisconsin. That team was a very good team, played great team ball, well coached and was a veteran team, plus Kaminsky was a beast all year. Tyus and Grayson were on that night luckily for us combining for 39 of our 68 points.

 

[DukeRulesBasketball]

Arizona, but Wisconsin is up there though!

 

[hart2chesson]

I urge everyone to look at those Arizona starters before voting...

I did. What a cast of characters! They got my vote! OFC

 

[TheDude1]

Yeah, I picked Arizona. Yes, we beat them, but we beat them with Chris Duhon and Jason Williams and Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy and Shane Battier and Nate James. That is an INSANE amount of talent.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

‘15 Wisconsin gets my vote without a shadow of a doubt. That whole team was high IQ and never turned the ball over. They could stroke it from deep and played great defense. The senior leader Kaminsky was the consensus NPOY. Dekker really came alive for the NCAA T. Nigel Hayes was a solid player, Gasser was a terrific defender.

I have to give an honorable mention to Butler that team had a lot of heart. Hayward was a heck of a player. Shout out to my boy Matt Howard, he was tough as nails.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Yeah, I picked Arizona. Yes, we beat them, but we beat them with Chris Duhon and Jason Williams and Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy and Shane Battier and Nate James. That is an INSANE amount of talent.

I don’t think you’re wrong for picking them. I was just noting that their lineup is more glorified from a NBA standpoint. Collectively they were a great team and yeah, we had a ton of talent as well. Arizona shot piss-poor that game.

 

[jwill133]

Arizona
Wisconsin
Michigan
Butler
Kansas

 

[hart2chesson]

We always seem to focus on the BAD CALLS we get in these huge games. Wiliams reaching completely around the UA player could have easily been his 5th foul. We were fortunate it was ruled a tie-up.Without that call I really dont think we win.

OFC

 

[Liftee]

I think if the question were "Best Final Four Team", the answer would be UNLV. But it's not.

I haven't voted yet, but Butler gets no respect. They were tough as nails and superbly coached. The style of that game, which was more like a mid '60s style football game, played into their rough style. They would have thrown the more finesse based teams off their games if allowed to play that way.

It's hard to compare teams from different eras.

 

[Mac9192]

Arizona was probably the best of the 5, followed closely by Wisconsin.

The most satisfying was the 92 beating the Fab 5 took. Young and brash. They were good, but after halftime, they found out what good was, and it wasn't them.

 

[TheDude1]

I don’t think you’re wrong for picking them. I was just noting that their lineup is more glorified from a NBA standpoint. Collectively they were a great team and yeah, we had a ton of talent as well. Arizona shot piss-poor that game.

Oh, for sure, but in a way I DO look at the NBA stuff as telling... they might not have been their NBA selves yet, but they sure as hell had that talent, you know?

I remember that game being an absolute slugfest. Those Dunleavy threes, along with Shane's D, were SO huge.

 

[Quavarius]

Arizona
Wisconsin
Michigan
Butler
Kansas

That would be my order as well.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Oh, for sure, but in a way I DO look at the NBA stuff as telling... they might not have been their NBA selves yet, but they sure as hell had that talent, you know?

I remember that game being an absolute slugfest. Those Dunleavy threes, along with Shane's D, were SO huge.

Makes sense - I think there’s strong arguments for both Arizona and Wisconsinc just depending on how you look at it. ‘Zona had more athleticism and talent, Wiscy took care of the ball and played methodically. Both teams were great, can’t go wrong with either choice.

It was a wild one, Dunleavy was on fire in the 2nd half behind the arc... Jay struggled from deep all game but he sealed it by making one in the final minutes. Can’t forget how clutch Shane was down the stretch either. Good stuff

 

[dukiejay]

Most talented is easily Michigan. Best team? I tend to lean Wisconsin. Although, I think people forget how Michigan was really starting to click at the right time. They became a great team starting in February, but didn't peak until their second season.

Wisconsin
Michigan
Arizona - great collection of talent, but i'm not sure they ever truly meshed
Kansas - everybody loves them some Roy Williams
Butler - tough as nails, well coached but the least talented of the bunch

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

zona

 

[DukefanKY]

I would say Michigan had the most talent, but Wisconsin the best team and hardest to beat

 

[QC Dukie]

I would say Michigan had the most talent, but Wisconsin the best team and hardest to beat

Michigan talked the best game

 

[DukefanKY]

Michigan talked the best game

Oh absolutely! And one of them still is!!!

 

[bullettoothtony]

Michigan talked the best game

It was the Duke '91-'92: Back-to-Back documentary when Hurley was talking about the Fab Five and the first time we played them at Michigan. One of his quotes was this (I may be off a word or two):

"Michigan (players) came in out of high school and hadn't really done anything yet, and they felt like they were coming to take it all. And... maybe they didn't have enough humble in them yet, so we felt like maybe it was our responsibility to provide that for them."

Lolol... everytime I watch it that last line slays me.

 

[dbav]

If I'm not mistaken, 2001 was one of those rare years that things worked out as pundits predicted in the preseason. As I recall, Duke and Zona were the top 2 teams in every preseason poll.

Also, that was my junior year. My fraternity section was right next to where the bonfires started. Professors cancelled classes the next day. It was mass hysteria, haha.

 

[dukiejay]

It was the Duke '91-'92: Back-to-Back documentary when Hurley was talking about the Fab Five and the first time we played them at Michigan. One of his quotes was this (I may be off a word or two):

"Michigan (players) came in out of high school and hadn't really done anything yet, and they felt like they were coming to take it all. And... maybe they didn't have enough humble in them yet, so we felt like maybe it was our responsibility to provide that for them."

Lolol... everytime I watch it that last line slays me.

One of my favorite quotes.

 

[BlackKnightNut]

1. 2001 Arizona started the year ranked #2 and came together to finish that way as well. Beat the defending champs in Michigan State before we took out the Terps. One of the few years I truly believe the four best teams were in the Final Four.

2. 2015 Wisconsin gets very little credit from UK fans for that win, but they truly were a GREAT team and we needed everything and then some to beat them for the second time that year.

3. 2010 Butler is underrated. Played defense like nobody's business. That championship was a classic defensive slugfest but certainly never boring.

4. 1992 Michigan talent wise was amazing, but the real national title was won in the semis against Indiana.

5. 1991 Kansas was good but not great. Again, the real title was won in the semis, though I would never call Dukes first national title anticlimactic lol.

 

[DukefanKY]

If I'm not mistaken, 2001 was one of those rare years that things worked out as pundits predicted in the preseason. As I recall, Duke and Zona were the top 2 teams in every preseason poll.

Also, that was my junior year. My fraternity section was right next to where the bonfires started. Professors cancelled classes the next day. It was mass hysteria, haha.

Your post brought some hard to face thoughts to the forefront for me. I think maybe I started working at the place I STILL work, when you were maybe in the 3rd grade. This tells me two things.
1. I have been here a loooong time
2. I am getting old!!

 

[dukehokie]

Jefferson was a highlight reel around the rim and Arenas had a lot of variety in his game but neither of them were great college players. Both were streaky shooters and turnover machines. Neither sniffed All-American status. Luke Walton was only a sophomore at the time and virtually a non-factor..... I think you’re tacking their NBA careers into the vote when you say to look at the names.

Overall that team was really good, I can understand picking them. To round out those guys Woods was a 7ft shot blocking animal and Jason Gardner was a 5 foot something little man that ran the team well. That one kid... I think his last name was Wright, he was pretty good too.

Time and distance can create a haze. NBA be damned, Jefferson was amazing as a college player. He was a plus defender, one of the best athletes in all of college that season (neck and neck with Jeff Trepagnier). If he or Gardner or that one kid Michael Wright or Arenas or even Woods were on any other team, they'd all be on awards lists, but those starters were so balanced, the stats don't backup the talent level. Clearly they were an exceptional team as they navigated one of the toughest possible roads.

And don't forget, Gilbert was pretty dinged up for that championship game. He almost didn't play. You said he wasn't that great, but dude was the team's leading scorer as a soph.

I wouldn't say they had all-time careers in college, but that team was stacked and definitely had the best starting five of any team Duke beat to win a title. IMO anyway.

 

[QC Dukie]

It was the Duke '91-'92: Back-to-Back documentary when Hurley was talking about the Fab Five and the first time we played them at Michigan. One of his quotes was this (I may be off a word or two):

"Michigan (players) came in out of high school and hadn't really done anything yet, and they felt like they were coming to take it all. And... maybe they didn't have enough humble in them yet, so we felt like maybe it was our responsibility to provide that for them."

Lolol... everytime I watch it that last line slays me.

I still have a t shirt hanging in my closet from the 92 championship game. It says “you can talk the game, but at Duke we play the game” back to back!

 

[germantondevil]

I enjoyed the 1992 the most but damn I was so happy to say Finally in 1991. We had been so close so many times. But the best win by far was UNLV in 91 FF baby. No one gave Duke a chance except Duke fans.

 

[Hurley22]

I enjoyed the 1992 the most but damn I was so happy to say Finally in 1991. We had been so close so many times. But the best win by far was UNLV in 91 FF baby. No one gave Duke a chance except Duke fans.

Bobby Hurley with ice in his veins on the 3 point shot to cut it to 2. Duke was down 5 and K was actually wanting a timeout, but Hurley had other ideas!

 

[christophero]

I just posted last weekend how good that 2001 Arizona team was. Great win against a talented and experienced team. I give them a slight edge over 2015 Wisconsin because of the athleticism. Woods and Wright and Jefferson and Arenas and Walton. Wow. I remember Walton's junior year he was putting up Pac 12 POY numbers. Then he got injured, and was never quite the same after that.

 

[jwill133]

I look at the 2015 Wisconsin team as a machine, you always knew what you were gonna get with them. Extremely elite effiicient offense (one of the most efficient offenses of the Ken Pom era), a slower game, but average defense. They didn't have great athletes, and had trouble all year defending the high screen-n-roll (Tyus stole their soul on this exact set.)

2001 Arizona looking back at the games and scores was more up and down. But they definitely had the talent edge. Did the pieces fit perfectly? No. But in a 1 game scenario, I think they were a bit more scary because when they put it all together, they were super duper elite. I also think college basketball back in 2001 was just a better product than in 2015 due to guys sticking around.

 

[BeerPoisoning]

Time and distance can create a haze. NBA be damned, Jefferson was amazing as a college player. He was a plus defender, one of the best athletes in all of college that season (neck and neck with Jeff Trepagnier). If he or Gardner or that one kid Michael Wright or Arenas or even Woods were on any other team, they'd all be on awards lists, but those starters were so balanced, the stats don't backup the talent level. Clearly they were an exceptional team as they navigated one of the toughest possible roads.

And don't forget, Gilbert was pretty dinged up for that championship game. He almost didn't play. You said he wasn't that great, but dude was the team's leading scorer as a soph.

I wouldn't say they had all-time careers in college, but that team was stacked and definitely had the best starting five of any team Duke beat to win a title. IMO anyway.

The point I was trying to make was that none of these guys were dazzling All-Americans but rather a collection of good players who fulfilled their role. Gardner was a great decision maker, Arenas was a crafty creator, Jefferson oozed athleticism, Wright was a fundamental post scorer and Woods’ 7ft presence down-low served its due advantage as icing on the cake. They were all hard working gym-rats and that combo of fundamentals + athleticism made their up tempo offense look amazing. They were a very good team, I never said they weren’t.

I remember Arenas being injured, unfortunately that’s the headline of his career. I do think that he was a GOOD college player but he wasn’t “Hibachi” yet. He fell to the 2nd round of the draft because he of his ball security, shot inconsistencies and questionable PG skills. Jefferson on the other hand was a fantastic defender with an extra step on his ladder, like Arenas he was turnover prone. The rest of his game was pretty average. He also was just a “GOOD” player and he continued that theme at the NBA level as well.

Tough to debate individual accolades by hypothetically placing them elsewhere. I don’t agree or disagree with that as it’s hard to say. It’s easier to be decorated when you aren’t sharing the sugar, but there are tons of decorated college players who shared the spotlight. Our ‘01 team is a great example of that. — Wisconsin still has my vote, but ‘Zona is a close 2nd.

 

[christophero]

And Woods was a really, really good college center. And Wright was a bruiser. Gardner really gave JW fits in the title game with his defense.

 

[Hurley22]

And Woods was a really, really good college center. And Wright was a bruiser. Gardner really gave JW fits in the title game with his defense.

Yea their "stars" definitely weren't what they became in the NBA, but they had some very good college players as well. Wisconsin was a great college team that had great talent and we're super disciplined like Beer said. Neither team was good enough though!

 

[BeerPoisoning]

‘01 Zona starting 5 reminds me of our ‘10 champs starting 5. Nobody on that roster dazzled you but they were all good players and collectively complimented each other. ‘01 Az was better, but I think they resemble each other.

Scheyer / Gardner both facilitated the ball, took smart shots and ran offense. Smith / Arenas were both combo guards (“tweeners”) with similar style. Singler / Jefferson albeit there is a large athleticism gap between the two they otherwise resemble each other a lot. Arizona has a talent upperhand in the front court, but the players are still roughly similar. Thomas / Wright both fundamentally sound solid post players. Zoubek / Woods both held down the paint as 7 footers.

 

[pisgah101]

Wisconsin

That season had 3 truly great teams