They're definitely one of the top 10 basketball programs over the past 20-25 years. However, in recent years, they have underachieved, considering the number of McD AAs they reel in year after year.
I'm sure that TAD twists things out of context, but I remember some of those things occurring back in the day (the Maggette/Myron Piggie nonsense, and the ensuing "Myra and Piggie" hilarity come to mind). And anyone can tune in (if you can bear listening to Dukie Vitale and Mike Patrick and verbally fellate all things Duke) and watch the Rat bully the refs virtually every game.
I don't know if I've ever admitted this, but I actually used to kind of like Duke, until Laettner went there.
Anyhow, the Nolan Smith article linked above is a good read.