I don't think K is coming back but I think this is step 1 of the school taking the program back. Stand by my prediction Duke will revert to pre K norms within 5 years.
They were pretty bad in the 70s, but I do think they take a fall to Top 20-30 range.
Duke hasn't been Duke for a long time though.
ACC Regular Season Champs
1 in last 12 seasons
2 in last 16 seasons
ACC Tourney Champs
2 in the last 11 seasons (2020 was cancelled though)
Elite 8 or better
6 in the last 19 seasons (2020 was cancelled)
Final Fours
3 in the last 19 seasons (2020 was cancelled)
Champs
2 in the last 21 seasons (2020 was cancelled)
3 in the last 30 seasons (2020 was cancelled)
1986-1994 was an amazing run and even 1995-2004 was great. But that was also a long time ago.
1986-1994
In 9 seasons: 2 Champs, 7 Final Fours!!!, 4 ACC season, 3 ACC tourney
1995-2004
In 10 seasons: 1 Champ, 3 Final Fours, 6 ACC season, 5 ACC tourney
1986-2004
In 19 seasons: 3 Champs, 10 Final Fours, 10 ACC season, 8 ACC tourney
2005-2022
In 18 seasons*: 2 Champs, 3 Final Fours, 3 ACC season, 7 ACC tourney
The Final Fours and ACC seasons are way down the last 18 seasons. ACC tourney has stayed the same.