More Duke

The weekly rankings came out (Duke remains in the 3 spot behind the only two undefeated teams left) and with them came the newest installment of bracketology. Personally, I do not put much faith in Joe Lunardi because its highly unlikely that he is even 25% right this early in the season. However, I do enjoy his commentary - especially this week.

Unfortunately, his columns are behind the brick wall on the four letter (if you have insider, click here). For your edification I have re-posted the highlights here.

Clearly, the Bruins did something that will never be repeated. The expansion of the NCAA field and the melding of geographic regions make it an unthinkable feat. Just matching the seven straight championships would require winning 42 tournament games in a row.

As Bill Walton would say, it's un-BEE-LEEEVE-able.

But it may no longer be the singular accomplishment in the history of the college game. As dynasties go, what Mike Krzyzewski has done (and is still doing) at Duke deserves a legitimate mention. Perhaps twice.
All of this is brought to mind by today's bracket. You'll see the Blue Devils as a projected No. 1 seed for the first time this season. No surprise there; Duke is a regular on the top line of the bracket, right?

But did you know how regular? If this year's Blue Devils actually attain a No. 1 seed (and even if they don't), no team has ever -- and I mean E-V-E-R -- come close to being this good for this long. Whether you find it magnificent or monotonous, the numbers are the numbers:

• From 1999-2006, Duke was a No. 1 seed seven times in eight years. The Blue Devils won just one national championship in that span, but were no worse than one of the four best teams in the country - and usually better than that -- in all but one of those seasons. I call this dynasty "Duke II."

• The "Duke I" dynasty came from 1986-1994. In that nine-year period, despite receiving a No. 1 seed just twice, the Blue Devils advanced to the Final Four seven times (including five straight from 1988-1992). So, at minimum, Duke won four straight NCAA Tournament games -- same as the UCLA title teams -- seven times in nine years. Three times the Devils won five straight in a single tourney (losing the championship game in 1986, 1990 and 1994), sandwiching their consecutive 6-0 title runs in 1991 and 1992.

It's not 10 national championships in 12 years, as the Wizards of Westwood achieved, but I'd say it's equally unthinkable. Seven No. 1 seeds in eight seasons (and quite possibly eight in 10 years if the current Blue Devils stay put) for Duke II; seven Final Fours in nine seasons for Duke I.

As an achievement, my vote stays with UCLA. For difficulty, Duke has surpassed that. Twice.