Ranking all 40 Duke basketball teams under Coach K
By Matt Giles
![Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d92fe47c1a158fdb289b602b0faff932f717f71b4ffb143e3e153fa344c005a4.jpg)
1980-81 Blue Devils. 36. player. Pick Analysis. 17-13 overall. 6-8 ACC. 434. Scouting Report
THE TOP CONTRIBUTORS
- Senior forward Gene Banks: 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals; 57.7 field goal percentage
- Junior forward Vince Taylor: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals
- Senior forward Kenny Dennard: 10.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals
- Sophomore guard Tom Emma: 9.6 points, 2.4 assists; 86.1 percent free throw percentage
- Sophomore guard Chip Engelland: 6.5 points, 0.5 steals, 19.5 minutes
- Sophomore forward Mike Tissaw: 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 24.3 minutes
THE SEASON SYNOPSIS
A potent trio of experienced forwards. Led by Gene Banks, arguably the greatest Duke basketball player not to have his jersey retired. Outside of Banks, Vince Taylor, and Kenny Dennard, though, the Blue Devils lacked offense — a 69.9-66.9 average scoring margin — as they relied on hard-nosed defense to hang with top-tier foes.
And a thrilling 66-65 overtime win over North Carolina on Senior Night in Durham served as a preview of Coach K’s gradual improvement against Duke’s nemesis:
THE REPORT CARD
- 17 out of a possible 40 points for WIN TOTAL
- 0.75 out of a possible 5 points for TOP 25 WINS (three)
- 0.75 out of a possible 5 points for WINS BY 25+ POINTS (three)
- 0 out of a possible 20 points for POSTSEASON NETS
- 0 out of a possible 10 points for CONSENSUS FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
- 1 out of a possible 5 points for ALL-ACC FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS (Banks)
- 1 out of a possible 5 points for MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICANS (Taylor, Banks)
- 2.25 out of a possible 10 points for HYPOTHETICAL HEAD-TO-HEAD STANDING (No. 32)
- 2 bonus points for WINS AGAINST UNC (one)
- TOTAL GRADE: 24.75