One of the most remarkable runs in NCAA history now has a documentary to share its story.
On Saturday, ACC Network debuted We’re #1! – 1991 & 1992 Duke Blue Devils, a one-hour film celebrating Duke’s first two national championships. The documentary includes exclusive interviews with a variety of key figures from that era: head coach Mike Krzyzewski, Christian Laettner, Roy Williams, Mike Brey, and even former Duke Chronicle writer Seth Davis, who conducted his interview in 301 Flowers.
The documentary uses a format that mirrors announcing a starting five, with each key player from the championship teams being introduced. Fellow teammates, opponents, and broadcasters share their thoughts on stars like Bobby Hurley, Laettner, and Grant Hill, while the players themselves reflect on their time at Duke, often discussing why they chose the school.
An early focus of the film is on a pivotal moment in Laettner and Hurley’s relationship. During Laettner’s sophomore season, Krzyzewski handed the ball—and the team—over to Hurley in the first practice. This decision sparked tension between the star duo. While the conflict wasn’t visible on TV, interviewees make it clear how tough Laettner was on his point guard.
“If Bobby wasn’t tough… it would have broken up our team,” Hill said.
The arrival of freshman Grant Hill marked a turning point. Hill’s incredible talent was apparent from day one, and with his addition, the Blue Devils had a title contender.
“Grant is really the most talented player I coached at Duke University,” Krzyzewski said.
When Hill, Hurley, and Laettner first practiced together, Krzyzewski made it clear that this team was going to win the 1991 NCAA Championship—if you believed him and what he wrote on the whiteboard.
Duke faced a tough non-conference schedule, including a home game against Shaquille O’Neal and LSU. The Blue Devils also had to navigate one of the strongest ACC seasons ever, with legendary coaches like Dean Smith and Jim Valvano.
“Here was this guy from West Point coming into Dean Smith’s world and going toe-to-toe with him, and beating him a lot,” Davis said.
Despite a strong start, Duke faced a tough loss to Virginia. After the 81-64 defeat, Krzyzewski pushed the team with what players described as the hardest practice of their lives. Hill even broke his nose during the session, but the message was clear: the team needed to play better together.
By the time they reached the NCAA Tournament, Duke was playing at its peak. They took down Northeast Louisiana, Iowa, UConn, and St. John’s, setting up a Final Four rematch with UNLV, the undefeated juggernaut.
UNLV, with star players like Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon, and Larry Johnson, had been brash in their confidence. The Blue Devils knew they needed their best performance.
“It’s not life and death, but let’s act like it’s life and death,” Laettner said.
In what Krzyzewski called one of the greatest games ever, Duke played brilliantly on both ends of the floor—Hill’s offense and Brian Davis’ defense. After a hard-fought win, Krzyzewski reminded his players that they still had work to do.
Duke then faced Roy Williams and Kansas in the final, where the Blue Devils handled the Jayhawks with ease, capped by Hill’s memorable dunk, to claim the national championship.
Heading into the next season, the team’s fame grew. The documentary showcases the attention surrounding them, including interviews with the Cameron Crazies, and the team’s meeting with the president. The Blue Devils were ready to defend their title.
“They were mature, cocky, talented, smart… they had all the ingredients to be one of the great teams, really ever,” Krzyzewski said.
Duke surged to a 17-0 start, playing excellent defense and running an efficient transition game, but a major setback occurred when Hurley broke his foot during a loss to North Carolina, ending a 23-game win streak. When Hurley returned after three weeks, the Blue Devils quickly got back on track, avenging the loss to North Carolina in the ACC Championship and setting their sights on another NCAA run.
They cruised through the early rounds of the tournament, before facing a Kentucky team led by Jamal Mashburn. The documentary highlights the legendary 45-minute game, with Laettner’s flawless shooting, his infamous stomp, and Mashburn’s relentless play all building up to The Shot, one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history.
After the emotional win, Duke faced Indiana in the Final Four, where Krzyzewski’s former mentor, Bob Knight, coached. Laettner, emotionally spent from The Shot, struggled early, but Hurley stepped up to lead the team to a win, setting up a title showdown with Michigan’s Fab Five.
Duke was banged up heading into the championship game, with Hill and Davis nursing injuries, but they didn’t let that stop them. In a rematch from earlier in the season, the Blue Devils battled Michigan, with Laettner struggling until Hurley gave him a halftime pep talk. In the second half, Duke took control, with Hill leading the charge, securing their second consecutive title.
“We were the happiest people on Earth at that moment,” Brian Davis said.
The film concludes with current head coach Jon Scheyer reflecting on the legendary 1991-92 team, cementing their place in college basketball history.
“I loved coaching those guys,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m happy they took me along for the ride.”
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