Rival ACC Coach Praises 2016-17 Duke Basketball Team

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino recently compared this year’s Duke Basketball team to his historic 1995-96 Kentucky squad.

Duke Basketball has high expectations for this season, and a rival ACC coach recently added to the praise of the 2016-17 Blue Devils. Louisville coach Rick Pitino compared this year’s team to his 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcat team.

The 1996 Wildcats were an extremely talented team with eight eventual NBA players. They are considered one of the greatest college basketball teams ever. Pitino’s ’96 team was referred to as “The Untouchables“, and won the NCAA National Championship with a 34-2 record.

This isn’t the first time the 2016-17 Blue Devils have been compared to all-time great NCAA teams. Former Duke Basketball player Jay Bilas compared this year’s team to the 1991-92 Blue Devil team that was heavily favored and dominated en route to a second straight national championship. He also added that they are similar to another great Kentucky team in the 2014-15 Wildcats that finished the regular season undefeated and stayed unbeaten until the Final Four.

Duke’s season has already gotten off to a rocky start with star freshman Harry Giles sidelined to start the season after knee surgery, but hopefully the Blue Devils will be able to stay healthy and play up to the high expectations.