1986-87 Duke Blue Devils: Danny Ferry Powers Team to Sweet 16 with All-Around Brilliance While Tommy Amaker Earns All-ACC Honors, Defensive Player of the Year, and Tournament Heroics in a Gutsy Season Under Coach K

The 1986–87 Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team embodied a gritty, battle-tested group forged under the relentless direction of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Though not regarded as one of the most iconic or talent-overloaded Duke teams in history, this squad carved out its own unique legacy by combining youthful promise, defensive tenacity, and timely leadership. Behind the versatility and consistent brilliance of sophomore forward Danny Ferry and the steady command of senior point guard Tommy Amaker, the Blue Devils made a significant run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, finishing the season with a strong 24-9 overall record and placing third in the always-tough Atlantic Coast Conference with a 9-5 league mark. From the outset, the season was a study in evolution. The roster was a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent. Amaker, a senior floor general with elite instincts and an unselfish approach to the game, served as the spiritual and tactical heartbeat of the team. His impact went far beyond the box score. Though he averaged just shy of 10 points per game, his command of Duke’s offense, hounding perimeter defense, and ability to rise in big moments made him an invaluable asset. By season’s end, Amaker was named to the All-ACC Second Team, earned the prestigious NABC Defensive Player of the Year honor, and cemented his status as one of the nation’s elite guards with his performance during the NCAA Tournament.

The emergence of Danny Ferry, however, may have been the defining storyline of the year. Just a sophomore, Ferry led the team in scoring (14.0 points per game), rebounding (7.8), and assists (4.3), showing an incredibly rare all-around skillset for a player his size. A versatile 6-foot-10 forward who could shoot from deep, pass like a guard, and control the tempo of a game, Ferry’s basketball IQ and poise began to hint at the star he would eventually become. While Amaker was the leader and defensive tone-setter, Ferry quickly established himself as the team’s offensive engine and most reliable playmaker. His consistency throughout the season gave Duke a go-to presence in tight moments and a strategic mismatch against nearly every opponent.

Other key starters included Kevin Strickland, a rugged and dependable presence on the wing who led the team in blocks per game (0.8), and Billy King, a defensive stalwart whose 1.9 steals per game reflected his impact as a perimeter stopper. John Smith rounded out the starting five, providing physicality in the frontcourt alongside Ferry. These five formed a core that was competitive in every game, showing toughness and chemistry even in losses. Duke’s rotation depth was another underrated component of their success. Reserves such as Robert Brickey, Alaa Abdelnaby, Quin Snyder, and George Burgin gave the team flexibility and bursts of energy from the bench. Abdelnaby, a powerful post presence, would go on to be a major contributor in later years, but in 1986–87, he was already showing flashes of his potential. Snyder, who later became a prominent coach in the NBA, provided smart minutes at guard, while Brickey’s athleticism and hustle made him a fan favorite. Jon Goodman, Dave Colonna, Andy Berndt, Rey Essex, and Martin Nessley filled out the bench and provided valuable support in practice and games.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski was only in his seventh season at Duke at the time, but already his culture was beginning to take hold. The Blue Devils had made it all the way to the national championship game the previous year, falling just short against Louisville. With several key pieces from that run having graduated, the 1986–87 squad represented a bit of a retooling effort. Yet Coach K’s relentless demand for intensity, preparation, and selflessness had the team operating like a cohesive unit. That identity shined brightest in the postseason.

As a #5 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament, Duke entered March Madness with both expectation and uncertainty. In the first round, they faced a determined #12 seed in Texas A\&M. The game was a defensive slugfest, and Duke’s execution down the stretch proved to be the difference. With Amaker orchestrating the offense and Ferry leading the charge, the Blue Devils eked out a 58-51 win. The victory didn’t come easy, but it reflected the type of game Duke had become comfortable winning—ugly, gritty, and controlled. In the second round, they drew #13 Xavier, a dangerous mid-major capable of pulling off upsets. Once again, Duke stayed composed. The game went back and forth, but Amaker’s leadership and key plays in the closing minutes helped seal a 65-60 win. The Blue Devils were headed to the Sweet 16, and their belief was growing. Amaker, in particular, was turning heads with his performance, earning a spot on the NCAA Tournament All-Region Team for his clutch play and leadership.

Awaiting them in the Midwest Regional Semifinal was a juggernaut—#1 overall seed Indiana, coached by the legendary Bob Knight. The Hoosiers were the gold standard that year and would eventually go on to win the national title. But Duke did not back down. In what turned out to be one of the most competitive games of the entire tournament, the Blue Devils pushed Indiana to the limit. Despite trailing for parts of the game, Duke refused to go away, with Ferry playing one of his most inspired games of the season. Amaker matched the Hoosiers’ guards step for step. The game ultimately slipped away, 88-82, but the performance cemented Duke’s toughness and growth. They had given the eventual champions one of their hardest tests.

While the season didn’t end with a Final Four appearance, it marked a critical bridge in the evolution of the Duke basketball powerhouse. Amaker’s graduation marked the end of an era, as he handed the keys over to Ferry and a rising group that included names like Brickey, Abdelnaby, and incoming recruits who would soon become household names. Amaker left Duke having built a legacy defined by unselfishness, defense, and leadership—characteristics that Coach K would continue to value and build his dynasty upon. Ferry, meanwhile, was only getting started. His sophomore campaign foreshadowed the dominant player he would become—a two-time ACC Player of the Year and the eventual face of Duke’s late-’80s and early-’90s teams.

The 1986–87 Duke Blue Devils season often gets overshadowed by the Final Four teams that came before and after, but its significance lies in the cultural consistency it reinforced. Coach K’s program didn’t fall off after graduating stars; it reloaded with players who bought into a greater cause. The Sweet 16 finish, along with the memorable battles against top-tier competition, helped solidify Duke as a national mainstay. It also reaffirmed the Blue Devils’ trademark style—intense defense, team-oriented offense, and a never-say-die mentality, all anchored by the poise of its leaders.

For Duke fans, this team remains a sentimental favorite—a squad that refused to give in, even when outmatched, and that laid the groundwork for what would become a college basketball empire. The stories of that season are filled with players sacrificing for each other, coaches molding raw talent into dependable contributors, and a program learning how to sustain excellence. That year’s tournament run, though stopped short by the eventual champions, stands as a proud moment of resilience and growth. The leadership of Tommy Amaker, the rise of Danny Ferry, and the unrelenting will of Coach K provided a blueprint that future teams would follow and perfect. Though they didn’t win a title, the 1986–87 Blue Devils left the court with their heads high—and their legacy firmly intact.