CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Games against Duke are seldom solely played against the Blue Devils. There's a mystique surrounding the program and its five national championships, and the legacy built by head coach Mike Krzyzewski prior to last year's retirement tour was enough to pack any gym with fans wearing the school's fabled blue and white color scheme. No program has earned more spots on the Associated Press national poll, and the amount of time spent in the rankings eclipses some of the holiest blue bloods college basketball has to offer.
The reputation has Duke in the national picture on an annual basis, and the recruiting class rankings reflect the respect and admiration built by Coach K's years behind the bench.