The school holds a 75.6 winning percentage in the post season tourney, which is tops in the land. The program has been to the "Dance" a total of 23 times including 11 straight from 1984-94. Duke has been a part of the tournament for each decade since the 1950s. Their first appearance was in 1955, losing in the first round to Villanova by one point, 74-73. Since 1979, when the NCAA began seeding teams in the tourney, the Blue Devils have been the No. 1 seed four times (1986, 92, 98, 99). They have been the No. 2 seed seven times (1979, 88, 89, 90, 91, 94, 97). Consistency is the mark of true excellence in any endeavor. Duke University has proven through consistent play just how good they are. One of the biggest reasons for this has been their infamous coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski, a six-time National Coach of the Year selection has compiled quite a record at the school over the past 19 seasons. He is in his 20th season at Duke after coaching at Army in the 1970s. In 1981, his maiden season at Duke, coach K compiled a winning record (17-13) and secured an NIT berth. After two losing seasons following his first year at Duke, Krzyzewski went on to lead the Blue Devils to winning records each season, reaching the tournament every year accept 1995 when he sat out most of the season after back surgery.

The "Dynasty in Durham" is directly related to Krzyzewski's influence on the program. "I want Duke basketball to be good on a continuing basis. All along it has been my goal to give Duke a program that will last, one that will be nationally-ranked and worthy of postseason play every year," explained Coach K. He has definitely left his mark.

In 1986, after a 37-3 season the Devils were finally able to taste the Final Four, one of college hoops' most respected plateaus. The team's 37 wins are an NCAA record. Johnny Dawkins, David Henderson, Mark Alarie, Weldon Williams and Jay Bilas lead the team to the final against Louisville that year only to lose by three, 72-69. But that team set the standard at Duke. They made a mockery of the NIT, ACC Tournament and the NCAA East regional. They won 21 consecutive games and lost none at home.

In 1988, Duke was once again in the Final Four, this time against Kansas (who went on to win it all that year), but again lost. That team was 28-7 and finished ranked fifth. Danny Ferry lead the team in scoring that season and helped the Devils beat rival North Carolina three times that year, which meant more to many Duke fans than any tournament. Most thought that team would not fare well after losing five seniors following the 1986 season, but two seasons later, the Devils were right back in the race for dominance.

With their loss in the semifinals the year before still fresh on their minds, the school made a vow to get right back to the Final Four, and did so in 1989 after a 28-8 record. Senior Danny Ferry lead the team that year but they fell short, losing to Seton Hall badly in the semis. With Ferry gone, it would be a challenge to get back to this level for the Devils.

However, in 1990, the team was right back in the thick of it. They again reached the Final Four, the third straight year, only to lose big to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels - 103-73. No one could stop the Rebels that season, a team that featured Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony, all NBA players.

With players such as Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner and Grant Hill, the Devils were almost a lock to make it back to the finals for the second straight year. This would also mark their fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four. And it would also mark the team's first Championship. They met up with the Runnin' Rebels once again and slayed the giant this time, 79-77, in the tournament's penultimate game. In the final they defeated Kansas to complete a great run through the NCAAs. That season changed the face of hoops at Duke University forever. Determined to get back to the last game, Duke relied on Laettner and Hurley and made it to the big one after four straight lopsided wins coming through the Midwest regional.

The 1992 season was one for the ages. Duke ran wire to wire as the No. 1 team in the country, finishing with a 71-51 win in Minnesota over Michigan and the Fab Five (Webber, Rose, Howard, King, Jackson). They also defeated Indiana in the semifinal by three, 81-78. But the biggest victory was arguably the 104-103 win over Kentucky on a last-second turnaround jumper by All-American Laettner in the Philadelphia Spectrum. That season helped create the dynasty monicker in Durham. It was the team's second straight National Championship and fifth straight Final Four appearance.

The team made it back to the Final Four and the final game in 1994. They lost by four to a strong Arkansas squad lead by Corliss Williamson. In the game's final minute, Razorback guard Scotty Thurman nailed a three-pointer to ice the Devils, 76-72.

After a four season layoff, the Devils reached the final in 1999 against the University of Connecticut Huskies. After losing only one game during the regular season, it was a devastating loss to a lesser team in the final. The Devils fell just three points short of their third national title, 77-74. Richard Hamilton's 27 points in the final proved too much in Krzyzewski's sixth final.

Consistency. That's the word used and that's the one word that best describes Duke. Coach Krzyzewski has averaged nearly 25 wins per season and 29 over the last 13 years, not counting the season cut short by his back problem. Only he and legendary coach John Wooden have guided their teams to the Final Four five straight seasons. Krzyzewski is second in most tournament wins, trailing only Dean Smith, 65-48.

Consistency. Under Coach K, the Devils have finished in the AP top 25 a total of 13 seasons. They finished No. 1 three times. The program has placed in the top 10 at the end of the season 10 times.

Consistency.