Duke University has a long and storied history in college basketball. Known for its strong team, passionate fans, and legendary coaches, Duke has become one of the most successful programs in NCAA history. Over the years, players like Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and Zion Williamson have dazzled fans with their incredible skills. Each season brings excitement, from nail-biting finishes to unforgettable moments that make Duke basketball stand out.
Today, we’re going to test your knowledge with some fun trivia about Duke basketball. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just getting to know the team, there’s something for everyone. You might learn about surprising stats, memorable games, or famous players who have worn the blue and white. Challenge yourself and your friends with these interesting facts, and see how much you really know about the Blue Devils and their amazing journey in the world of college basketball!
Duke Basketball Trivia
Devilish Legends of Duke Basketball
1. Who is Duke’s all-time leading scorer? (Answer: Christian Laettner)
2. What year did Duke win its first NCAA Championship? (Answer: 1991)
3. How many NCAA Championships has Duke won as of 2023? (Answer: Five)
4. Who was the head coach of Duke during their first two championships? (Answer: Mike Krzyzewski)
5. Which Duke player was known for hitting the buzzer-beater in the 1992 Final Four? (Answer: Christian Laettner)
6. What number did Grant Hill wear while playing at Duke? (Answer: 33)
7. Which Duke player was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft? (Answer: Zion Williamson)
8. What was the nickname of the 1992 Duke team that is considered one of the greatest in NCAA history? (Answer: The Fab Five)
9. Who are the “Duke Brotherhood,” a term for former Duke players who have entered the NBA? (Answer: Alumni)
10. Who was Duke’s head coach before Mike Krzyzewski took the helm? (Answer: Bill Foster)
Blue Devils’ Best Games and Moments
1. Which Duke game is famously known as “The Shot”? (Answer: Laettner’s buzzer-beater against Kentucky)
2. In what year did Duke defeat the University of Kansas to win the NCAA title? (Answer: 1991)
3. What was the score of the infamous “90-85” rivalry game against North Carolina in 2006? (Answer: 90-85)
4. When did Duke beat Michigan State in the 1999 NCAA Championship game? (Answer: 1999)
5. Who did Duke defeat in the 2015 NCAA Championship game? (Answer: Wisconsin)
6. What memorable event took place during the 1992 NCAA East Regional Final? (Answer: Laettner’s last-second shot)
7. In which year did Duke beat the heavily favored UNLV team in the Final Four? (Answer: 1991)
8. What special tournament format did Duke partake in when they won the 1999 title? (Answer: Single-elimination)
9. What was the score of the 2001 national championship game that Duke played? (Answer: 82-72)
10. Who were Duke’s opponents when they won their last championship in 2015? (Answer: Wisconsin)
The Unstoppable Coaches of Duke Basketball
1. How many wins does Mike Krzyzewski have in his coaching career at Duke? (Answer: Over 1,000)
2. What year did Krzyzewski become Duke’s head coach? (Answer: 1980)
3. How many Final Fours has Coach K led the Blue Devils to? (Answer: 12)
4. Who is Duke’s assistant coach known for helping develop NBA talent? (Answer: Jon Scheyer)
5. Who did Coach K cite as a major influence on his coaching style? (Answer: Bob Knight)
6. How many ACC Coach of the Year awards has Mike Krzyzewski won? (Answer: Five)
7. Which year did Krzyzewski last win the NCAA Championship? (Answer: 2015)
8. What major milestone did Coach K reach in 2020? (Answer: 1,000 career wins)
9. What team did Coach K coach before joining Duke? (Answer: Indiana University)
10. How long did Coach K serve as head coach at Duke? (Answer: 41 years)
Blue and White: Iconic Players and Their Numbers
1. What jersey number did Kyrie Irving wear at Duke? (Answer: 1)
2. What number did Christian Laettner wear during his time at Duke? (Answer: 32)
3. Who wore number 5 at Duke and later became a star with the Atlanta Hawks? (Answer: Danny Ferry)
4. Which number did JJ Redick wear while playing for the Blue Devils? (Answer: 4)
5. What jersey number did Zion Williamson wear during his time at Duke? (Answer: 1)
6. What number was worn by Grant Hill during his Duke career? (Answer: 33)
7. Which Duke player was known for wearing number 21 and excelling in the NBA? (Answer: Shane Battier)
8. What number did Tyus Jones wear at Duke? (Answer: 1)
9. Who sported the number 21 jersey as a standout player for Duke? (Answer: Nolan Smith)
10. What number did Austin Rivers wear while playing for Duke? (Answer: 0)
The Rivalries That Define Duke Basketball
1. Who is Duke’s biggest rival in college basketball? (Answer: North Carolina)
2. What is the nickname for the Duke vs. North Carolina game? (Answer: The Battle of Tobacco Road)
3. How many times has Duke played North Carolina in the NCAA tournament? (Answer: 3)
4. What year did Duke defeat North Carolina in the ACC Championship? (Answer: 2019)
5. Which Duke player famously played against North Carolina in his last home game? (Answer: Christian Laettner)
6. What is the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Duke-North Carolina rivalry? (Answer: The Victory Bell)
7. In what year did Duke and North Carolina first meet on the basketball court? (Answer: 1920)
8. How many NCAA championships has North Carolina won against Duke? (Answer: 6)
9. What is the biggest margin of victory in a Duke vs. North Carolina game? (Answer: 30 points)
10. Who was the Duke coach during the infamous 2012 Chapel Hill game? (Answer: Mike Krzyzewski)
Duke’s Rise Through the Rankings
1. What was Duke’s ranking when they won the NCAA Championship in 1991? (Answer: 1)
2. When was the last time Duke was ranked number one in the country? (Answer: 2015)
3. How many times has Duke made it to the NCAA Tournament? (Answer: 44 times)
4. What year did Duke achieve a 32-game winning streak? (Answer: 1999)
5. How many different seasons has Duke finished ranked in the top ten of the final AP Poll? (Answer: 37)
6. What is Duke’s highest-ever ranking in the AP Poll? (Answer: 1)
7. In what year did Duke finish the season ranked number two? (Answer: 1992)
8. How many times has Duke been a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament? (Answer: 16 times)
9. When did Duke have their first top five ranking? (Answer: 1986)
10. What does it mean for a team to be “ranked” in college basketball? (Answer: Placement in national polls)
Historic Stats and Streaks of Duke Basketball
1. How many consecutive NCAA tournaments has Duke appeared in as of 2023? (Answer: 25)
2. What was Duke’s highest season win total? (Answer: 37 wins)
3. In what year did Duke achieve a perfect home record? (Answer: 1999)
4. What is the average points-per-game scored by Duke’s all-time leading scorer? (Answer: 21.5)
5. How many 20-win seasons has Duke achieved? (Answer: 40)
6. What is Duke’s all-time win-loss record as of 2023? (Answer: Over 2000 wins)
7. Which Duke player holds the record for the most assists in a single season? (Answer: Jay Williams)
8. What is the longest winning streak in Duke’s history? (Answer: 30 games)
9. How many times has Duke made it to the Sweet 16? (Answer: 29 times)
10. What notable achievement does Coach K have in terms of games coached? (Answer: Most games coached at a single school)
Final Thoughts
Duke basketball has built a legacy filled with legendary players, unforgettable moments, and an intense rivalry with North Carolina. As we explored the intricate details of this remarkable program, we uncovered interesting facts about iconic coaches and significant games that have defined Duke’s history. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned fan, these trivia questions offer a fun way to engage with Duke’s storied legacy in college basketball.
If you enjoyed this trivia and are curious to know more about other basketball topics, consider checking out our college basketball trivia or explore NBA basketball trivia for a broader range of questions that highlight the excitement of the game!