Duke Crowned No. 1 in CBS Sports’ Ranking of Top Basketball Programs of the Last 25 Years

Duke Crowned No. 1 in CBS Sports’ Ranking of Top Basketball Programs of the Last 25 Years

When conversations turn to the greatest programs in modern college basketball, few names resonate louder than Duke University. That reputation was reaffirmed this week when CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone ranked the Blue Devils as the No. 1 program of the last 25 years  a span that has seen dramatic shifts in the sport, legendary coaches retire, bluebloods fall and rise, and new contenders emerge.

The ranking not only celebrates Duke’s remarkable consistency but also cements its standing as one of the most dominant dynasties in college basketball history.

A Dynasty Under Coach K

It’s impossible to discuss Duke’s ascent without mentioning Mike Krzyzewski, the architect of the program’s golden era. Taking over in 1980, Krzyzewski transformed Duke from a respected ACC competitor into a global brand. By the time the clock struck 2000, the Blue Devils were already on a trajectory that few programs could match.

From 2000 to 2015, Krzyzewski added three more national championships (2001, 2010, 2015) to his résumé, complementing the two he had secured in the 1990s. In that same span, Duke piled up six Final Four appearances, dozens of NBA-caliber players, and a reputation for delivering on the biggest stage.

What separated Duke wasn’t just the hardware but the sustained level of excellence. The Blue Devils didn’t merely peak every few years  they were a constant presence in the postseason, feared by every opponent in March.

The Numbers That Back It Up

CBS Sports’ ranking wasn’t built on legacy alone  the data makes the case clear:

• Record since 2000–01 season: 720–171
• Most wins among all Division I programs in that span
• National championships: 3 (2001, 2010, 2015)
• Final Four appearances: 6

To put that dominance in perspective, Kansas (717 wins) and Gonzaga (716 wins) narrowly trailed Duke in total victories. Yet, where Duke separated itself was in championship success, with three national titles the second-most in that span behind only UConn.

This balance of regular-season dominance and postseason triumphs is precisely why Duke landed at the top.

The Scheyer Transition

When Jon Scheyer took over in 2022, questions swirled around whether Duke could sustain its standard of excellence without Coach K. Scheyer, a former Blue Devil captain who won a championship under Krzyzewski in 2010, stepped into one of the most pressure-filled jobs in college basketball.

Three years later, the answer is clear: the program hasn’t missed a beat. Scheyer guided Duke to the 2025 Final Four, silencing critics who feared the post-Krzyzewski era might bring decline. His success has reassured the fan base and signaled to recruits that Duke remains one of the sport’s premier destinations.

Rivals and Rankings

Of course, no conversation about Duke’s supremacy is complete without mentioning its bitter rival, North Carolina. The Tar Heels matched Duke’s three titles in the last 25 years, but CBS Sports slotted them at No. 4 overall. While both programs have traded blows on the court and in recruiting battles, the slight edge in consistency and win totals gave Duke the nod in this ranking.

Other ACC programs also made the list, underscoring the conference’s historic strength:

• Syracuse (9th)
• Louisville (11th)
• Virginia (13th)

That kind of depth has made the ACC the most competitive league in the sport for decades and yet Duke has consistently risen above the rest.

The Bigger Picture

Duke’s reign at No. 1 isn’t just about the last 25 years; it’s about the culture and identity built around the program. “The Brotherhood” has become more than a slogan, symbolizing a network of players past and present who embody the Duke standard of excellence. From Shane Battier and Jay Williams to Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero, the program has become a factory for both NCAA champions and NBA stars.

And with Scheyer already proving he can maintain  and perhaps even elevate  the brand, there’s little reason to think Duke’s dominance will fade anytime soon.

Final Thoughts

In the end, CBS Sports’ ranking is less of a surprise and more of a confirmation of what fans, rivals, and analysts already knew: Duke basketball has been the sport’s defining program of the modern era. With the past secured and the future looking bright under Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils are not only celebrating their place at the top  they’re positioning themselves to stay there for years to come.