Duke University is heading to the NCAA Final Four, marking a major milestone for head coach Jon Scheyer in just his first season. The Blue Devils secured their spot with an impressive 85-65 victory over Alabama, a team that had been riding high on its offensive prowess. The clash in Newark, New Jersey, magnified Duke’s defensive strength as they effectively shut down Alabama’s high-scoring game, holding them to only 65 points—far below their typical average of 91.4.
Defense and Dominance
The defensive strategy employed by Duke was nothing short of brilliant, stifling Alabama’s usually dominant offense and forcing an unexpected drought late in the game. In a crucial five-minute stretch, the Blue Devils went on a 13-0 run, effectively slamming the door on any Crimson Tide comeback hopes. This kind of performance is exactly what fans hoped for under Scheyer’s fresh leadership.
On the offensive end, Duke's Kon Knueppel was on fire, leading the team with 21 points and providing 5 assists. Cooper Flagg also emerged as a key player, contributing 16 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in both offense and defense. Khaman Maluach also made his presence felt with 10 points, including four powerful dunks that energized the team and the crowd alike.
Alabama’s Struggles
Alabama, despite a strong season, struggled to find their rhythm in this faceoff. Labaron Philon led the team with 16 points but found little help from his teammates. Grant Nelson chipped in 10 points and collected 7 rebounds, but the team as a whole fell short, particularly struggling with rebounding and layup efficiency. Their shooting was also below par, with only a 26.4% success rate from beyond the arc.
The match marked Duke's first appearance in the Final Four since 2014 and continued their unmatched success in New Jersey’s tournament games, bringing their local record to an impeccable 12-0. While Alabama saw their best back-to-back Elite Eight performances, they once again fell short, prompting head coach Nate Oats to commend Duke’s preparation and execution. As Duke moves forward, excitement builds around what Scheyer and his squad might achieve at the Final Four.
