Can anyone beat them? Cooper Flagg and Duke steamroll Alabama to punch their ticket to the Final Four

Duke Advances to Final Four, Overpowers Alabama in NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Clash

College basketball powerhouse, the Duke Blue Devils, are heading to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for a record-extending 18th time, after a dominant 85-65 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. In a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup, Duke showcased their championship pedigree and quelled any doubts, proving their prowess on the court. The Blue Devils demonstrated their offensive and defensive capabilities, overcoming an Alabama team known for its potent three-point shooting in this March Madness showdown.

Blue Devils Secure Final Four Berth with Decisive Victory

Despite facing an Alabama squad that had just delivered a historic three-point shooting performance, Duke asserted control from the tip-off and never relinquished the lead. The Blue Devils’ stifling defense proved too much for Alabama, limiting their offensive opportunities and securing a comfortable path to San Antonio and the coveted Final Four stage of March Madness.

Freshman Talent Shines for Duke

While freshman sensation Cooper Flagg garnered significant attention from the Alabama defense, it was fellow freshman Kon Knueppel who led the scoring charge for Duke with an impressive 21 points. Flagg still contributed a solid 16 points, but Knueppel’s offensive output, coupled with a collective team effort, propelled Duke to victory. Alabama’s star guard, Mark Sears, who had been instrumental in their previous tournament game, struggled against Duke’s relentless defensive pressure.

Pressure Mounts as Duke Eyes Sixth National Title

With their ticket punched to the Final Four, the Duke Blue Devils now face the heightened expectations of contending for their sixth national championship. The pressure of adding another title to their storied program will be palpable as they head to the Final Four in Texas.

Duke’s Defense Stifles Alabama’s High-Paced Offense

Although Duke entered the game as the favored team, their primary objective was to neutralize Alabama’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense, ranked among the quickest in the nation. Alabama’s offensive tempo often overshadows defensive considerations. While this Crimson Tide team demonstrated improved defensive capabilities compared to previous iterations, they encountered a Duke squad that presents a unique challenge: a top-tier offense paired with an elite defense.

Alabama entered the Elite Eight clash fresh off a record-setting performance for three-pointers made and attempted in an NCAA Tournament game. However, Duke swiftly countered this threat, showcasing their own offensive firepower by scoring 100 points in their preceding matchup against Arizona.

Dominant Start Sets the Tone for Blue Devils

From the opening tip-off, Duke established their game plan, implementing aggressive on-ball defense that disrupted Alabama’s offensive flow. This defensive intensity translated to an early lead, with the Blue Devils establishing a 13-point advantage in the first half.

Sears, Alabama’s standout performer from their previous game, struggled to find his rhythm early, spending significant minutes on the bench in the first half as he failed to replicate his ten three-pointer performance from two days prior.

Alabama’s Momentum Halted by Duke’s Resilience

A brief shift in momentum occurred in the first half as Alabama mounted a 7-0 run, narrowing Duke’s lead to six points. However, a critical turnover on an inbound pass immediately following Alabama’s surge allowed Duke’s Caleb Foster to sink a three-pointer, re-establishing a nine-point lead heading into halftime.

While Alabama had relied on their three-point shooting to propel them in previous games, their long-range accuracy faltered in the first half against Duke, connecting on just 5 of 19 attempts.

Duke’s Freshmen Step Up in Second Half

Throughout the second half, Alabama persistently sought an opportunity to ignite a comeback and sustain their March Madness aspirations. Their efforts coincided with a period where Flagg encountered difficulties, sitting out after missing his first five shots of the half.

However, Duke’s supporting cast of freshmen, including guards Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel, and center Khaman Maluach, rose to the occasion. Knueppel effectively attacked the basket, Proctor displayed efficient shooting, and Maluach capitalized on opportunities in the paint, securing rebounds and finishing with dunks.

Sears’ Struggles Continue as Duke Pulls Away

Alabama desperately needed a resurgence from their leading scorer, Sears, but he continued to struggle. By the eight-minute mark of the second half, Sears’ shooting woes were evident, as he had only connected on 2 of 9 field goal attempts. He concluded the night with a subpar shooting performance.

Even Sears’ defensive efforts were unsuccessful. Despite intensely guarding Flagg, Sears’ pressure ultimately backfired when Flagg recovered a lost dribble and converted a difficult shot, epitomizing Duke’s resilience and talent.

While attributing the entire game to luck would be inaccurate, it underscored the undeniable talent and depth of the Duke Blue Devils roster.

Freshman Class Poised for Stardom

Duke’s freshmen displayed remarkable composure and maturity throughout the Elite Eight game, belying their inexperience. Knueppel finished with a game-high point total, Maluach contributed significantly in the paint, and Proctor delivered a well-rounded stat line, playing crucial minutes.

Cooper Flagg now aims to join an elite group of freshmen who have achieved both Freshman of the Year honors and led their teams to national championships, a feat previously accomplished by Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, and fellow Duke alumnus Jahlil Okafor.

While Flagg didn’t have his most dominant performance against Alabama, his presence and the attention he commanded from the defense created opportunities for his teammates to excel. Alabama’s defensive focus on Flagg opened up space for other Duke players to contribute across the court.

Alabama’s Season Ends as Duke Advances

Alabama’s hopes of a Final Four appearance faded as Duke’s relentless play proved insurmountable. Despite returning key players from last year’s Final Four team, Alabama could not overcome Duke’s balanced attack and defensive prowess. The Duke-heavy crowd at the Prudential Center erupted in celebration as their team secured their Final Four berth.

Despite the disappointment, Alabama fans can look ahead to football season, but for Coach Nate Oats and seniors Sears and Nelson, the defeat marks the end of their college basketball journey.

MORE TO FOLLOW.