April 4, 1992
Indiana, under coach Bob Knight, was making its first Final Four appearance since winning the national title in 1987. Duke was making an astounding fifth straight Final Four appearance under the direction of Knight’s pupil, Mike Krzyzewski. The student had become the teacher.
Bobby Hurley tied a career high with 26 points, and the defending national champion Blue Devils survived a late rally by the Hoosiers for an 81-78 win at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, advancing to meet Michigan and the Fab Five in the title game.
Indiana had Duke on its heels in the first half, taking a 42-37 lead into halftime while dominating the boards. However, the second half started with a 13-0 Blue Devil run, aided by a technical foul assessed to Knight by official Ted Valentine. It was one of many whistles that went against IU, which committed 33 fouls that led to 42 Duke free throws. The Hoosiers got to the line just 16 times on 18 fouls.
Greg Graham’s 3-pointer got Indiana on the board after six and a half scoreless minutes, but Duke quickly pushed the lead into double digits.
However, the Hoosiers made a late surge behind a trio of 3-pointers from Todd Leary. IU got as close as three in the final minute and had the ball after a Hurley turnover, but Jamal Meeks’ missed a corner jumper, and Duke made just enough free throws to keep Indiana at bay on a night when All-American Christian Laettner was held to eight points, snapping a streak of 46 straight games in double figures.
Graham led Indiana with 18 points, while Alan Henderson had 15 and Calbert Cheaney 11.
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