The excitement of March Madness is intensifying as the competition narrows down to the final four teams.

On Saturday night, the Florida Gators and Duke Blue Devils clinched their spots in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament, triumphing over the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Alabama Crimson Tide, respectively.

As we look forward to the continued action, with Tennessee facing off against Houston (scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET) and Michigan State going head-to-head with Auburn (at 5:05 p.m. ET) on Sunday, let's dive into the pivotal moments from Saturday's matches that had fans on the edge of their seats.

(2) Alabama vs. (1) Duke

Final Score: Duke 85, Alabama 65

Game Highlights: Duke's victory was somewhat anticipated as Alabama’s previous stellar performance of hitting 25 three-pointers in their Sweet 16 win over Purdue proved to be unsustainable. Against Duke, the Crimson Tide fell short, making only 8 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils, however, executed their game plan effectively, relying on powerful finishes in the paint and connecting on lobs to Khaman Maluach for dunks. Leading the charge for Duke was Kon Knueppel, with an impressive 21 points, supported by Cooper Flagg, who contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. While Alabama showed flashes of momentum early in the second half, Duke quickly squashed any hopes of a comeback with a decisive 11-4 run, ultimately pushing their lead to 20 points in the final moments of the game. -- Jeff Borzello

(3) Texas Tech vs. (1) Florida

Final Score: Florida 84, Texas Tech 79

Game Highlights: In a nail-biting finish, the Florida Gators clawed their way back from a 10-point deficit, largely thanks to Walter Clayton Jr.'s phenomenal performance, scoring 30 points. The turning point came in the last 5:24 of the game when Clayton Jr. put on a shooting clinic, scoring 13 points during that stretch. The Gators struggled throughout the second half, failing to score consecutive baskets until Thomas Haugh hit two critical three-pointers, narrowing Texas Tech's lead to just three points with 2:27 remaining. Clayton Jr. then took control, hitting back-to-back threes to turn the tide and solidify the win with clutch free throws. -- Kyle Bonagura

Florida's Road to the Final Four

Walter Clayton Jr. is a player to watch. The Final Four often hinges on star performances, and Clayton Jr.'s charisma and knack for clutch scoring make him a pivotal player for the Gators. Similar to NCAA legends like Anthony Davis and Kemba Walker, Clayton Jr.’s brilliance could propel Florida towards potential championship glory. As Florida prepares for the Final Four, don’t underestimate the impact a star player can have on the entire team’s psyche and performance. -- Myron Medcalf

Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as the NCAA tournament progresses! Who will emerge victorious? Don’t miss out on the excitement this week!