Duke's Journey to the Final Four

As Duke University’s basketball team secured their place in the Final Four with an explosive performance against Alabama, the intensity in Newark, New Jersey, soared. With just 6:39 remaining in their Elite Eight matchup, head coach Jon Scheyer gathered his squad, took a deep breath, and delivered a rallying cry that would alter the game’s trajectory.

"It's our time, right f***ing now! This is our game!" Scheyer passionately declared, a moment that would either carve Duke’s path to the national spotlight or become a regrettable misstep in his young coaching career. What followed was a defensive masterclass by the Blue Devils, limiting Alabama—known for its high-octane offense—to just seven points for the rest of the game.

The Blue Devils, who had a commanding nine-point lead, expanded that margin to as much as 20, ultimately seizing an 85-65 victory. Kon Knueppel shone as Duke's leading scorer with 21 points, while freshman sensation Cooper Flagg added 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, earning him the title of East Region Most Outstanding Player.

Despite not having his best game—shooting 6-of-16 from the field and committing four turnovers—Flagg received ample support from teammates like 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach, who contributed significantly with 14 points and nine rebounds. “Everybody just coming into their role, doing their own, and just doing their job is kind of what’s got us here,” Flagg remarked.

This victory marked Duke’s 18th trip to the Final Four and their first under coach Scheyer, who previously tasted championship glory in 2010 as a player and in 2015 as an assistant coach. They now await the winner of the Houston vs. Tennessee matchup, scheduled for next Saturday.

The Importance of Timely Decisions

Reflecting on the pivotal timeout, Scheyer emphasized the importance of capitalizing on crucial moments in the game, highlighting the significance of treating every possession with urgency. "We’ve talked a lot about the inflection points,” he said. “You don’t treat precious possessions the way that you should at that moment."

Duke’s defense, which ranks fifth in the nation, executed its strategy flawlessly in the final stretch. After that critical timeout, Alabama struggled to maintain any offensive rhythm, recording four missed layups, three turnovers, and only a single free throw before finally breaking the drought with little time remaining.

Acknowledgment from Alabama's Side

Alabama's head coach, Nate Oats, acknowledged the turning point in the game: “Then they went out on a 13-0 run—and the game was over.”

Duke's Balanced Attack

Duke’s ability to balance offensive firepower and defensive prowess has been a consistent theme throughout the tournament. The Blue Devils shot an impressive 56.3% in the first half, making key contributions from players across the roster, while stifling Alabama’s attempts to get in rhythm.

As the half-time buzzer sounded, the Blue Devils had built a solid 46-37 lead, but the game was far from over. In the early moments of the second half, Alabama missed crucial shots, allowing Duke to hang onto their lead and eventually extend it through effective free-throw shooting. Duke finished the game overwhelming Alabama at the charity stripe, converting 19-of-22 attempts.

The defensive game plan clearly disrupted Alabama’s typical scoring flow, holding them to just 35.4% shooting overall and a dismal 25% from beyond the arc. Following their impressive Sweet 16 performance, where they set an NCAA tournament record for three-point makes, their lack of scoring fit eerily into the narrative of Duke's defensive dominance.

Looking Ahead to the Final Four

With the Final Four on the horizon, the Blue Devils are poised to chase their sixth national championship banner—fueled by a mixture of determination, strategy, and electrifying talent like Cooper Flagg. All eyes are now on Duke as they inch closer to college basketball immortality, with fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.