Unfortunately for Hurley, the nostalgia was bittersweet. The seventh-ranked Blue Devils treated his team to a harsh lesson, putting up a dominating performance that ended in a 103-47 rout. During the intense match, Hurley found himself helpless, calling timeouts to try and halt Duke’s overwhelming second-half momentum. With a mix of amusement and frustration, he reflected on the experience, saying, “All the other stuff was outstanding. It’s just, sometimes you should leave well enough alone or something. That’s why I never wanted to come back here… It was a tough night, tough night.”
Now 53 years old, Hurley had last played at Duke in 1993 under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. His return stirred heartfelt emotions, but he was also left reeling from Arizona State’s poor showing in a game he characterized as “littered with failure,” particularly for a squad predicted to finish low in the expanded 16-team Big 12 conference. “Hats off to where the Blue Devils are,” he remarked, encapsulating his mixed feelings about the evening.
The primary purpose of the exhibition, known as the “Brotherhood Run,” was to support the Duke Children’s Hospital. However, Hurley’s presence, one of the program’s celebrated figures, added significant allure to the event. Not only is his No. 11 jersey immortalized in the rafters, but he also holds the NCAA record for assists (1,076) that he set three decades ago.
Though Hurley mentioned feeling uncomfortable not being on the floor during his last visit to Cameron, his reception was warm this time. As he emerged from the visiting tunnel, a thunderous ovation greeted him. He took a moment to acknowledge the crowd before embracing current Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer. A pregame ceremony welcomed Hurley alongside Scheyer and Krzyzewski, showcasing the deep-rooted ties that bind them within Duke basketball history.
“It’s an honor to have Bobby back here,” Scheyer expressed, sharing how much it meant to have that tribute together with Coach K. The ceremony featured a video montage highlighting Hurley’s illustrious Duke career. Iconic moments played on the new midcourt scoreboard, displaying his incredible plays, including a significant second-half three-pointer that was crucial in Duke’s stunning victory over an unbeaten UNLV in the 1991 Final Four.
Hurley’s tenure at Duke from 1990 to 1993 was marked by unprecedented success, leading the Blue Devils to their first two NCAA championships in 1991 and 1992 and earning accolades such as being named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. Coach Krzyzewski paid tribute to Hurley’s impact, stating, “I absolutely loved coaching Bobby.”
The trip allowed Hurley to revisit familiar spots in Durham, including a beloved local barbecue restaurant and the campus golf course, where he used to jog as a student. He wore his 1992 championship ring as a symbol of those cherished days but added a new layer to his visit by bringing along family, including his newborn granddaughter, Rowan. This visit was a reminder of how time has changed his life.
With the reunion behind him, Hurley now pivots his focus back to his duties with the Sun Devils as they prepare for their season opener against Idaho State on November 5. “My granddaughter’s never going to remember this game,” Hurley said, finding humor in the situation. “She’s 3 months old, thank God.”