Duke鈥檚 stream of long, tall NBA-ready standouts smothered Alabama and papered over Cooper Flagg鈥檚 rough shooting night to lift the Blue Devils to the program鈥檚 18th Final Four with an 85-65 victory Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament鈥檚 East Region final.Flagg made only 6 of 16 shots, including a brick that got stuck in the flange of the rim, but still finished with 16 points. Kon Knueppel, another potential lottery pick, led the Blue Devils with 21 points.But the most important stat: Alabama鈥檚 nation-leading offense, one coming off a record-setting night from 3 in the Sweet 16, shot 8 for 32 from behind the arc, 35.4% overall and failed to crack 70 for only the second time this season.Mark Sears, who came one short of a tournament record with 10 3s two nights earlier, finished with one and only six points against the Blue Devils (35-3), who won their 15th straight. At the Final Four in San Antonio, top-seeded Duke will play the winner of Sunday鈥檚 game between Houston and Tennessee. Its win erased any chance of an all-Southeastern Conference show at the Final Four, but with No. 1 Florida winning earlier, it kept alive the prospect of all four top seeds playing on the sport鈥檚 biggest stage for only the second time. Copper Flagg and Duke lead 78 - 58 with 2:47 left.Labaron Philon hits a three to make it a 10 point game. Duke leads 63-53.Grant Nelson with the block on Copper Flagg to start the 2nd half. SECOND HALFDuke leads 46 to 37 at half over Alabama.Duke takes a 10 point lead Alabama freshman Aiden Sherrell makes two 3-pointers coming off the bench.First media timeout 15:53 in the first Duke leads 13 to 5.Cooper Flagg scores first for Duke with a 3 pointer.FIRST HALFBEFORE THE GAME
NEWARK, N.J. — Duke鈥檚 stream of long, tall NBA-ready standouts smothered Alabama and papered over Cooper Flagg鈥檚 rough shooting night to lift the Blue Devils to the program鈥檚 18th Final Four with an 85-65 victory Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament鈥檚 East Region final.
Flagg made only 6 of 16 shots, including a brick that got stuck in the flange of the rim, but still finished with 16 points. Kon Knueppel, another potential lottery pick, led the Blue Devils with 21 points.
But the most important stat: Alabama鈥檚 nation-leading offense, one coming off a record-setting night from 3 in the Sweet 16, shot 8 for 32 from behind the arc, 35.4% overall and failed to crack 70 for only the second time this season.
Mark Sears, who came one short of a tournament record with 10 3s two nights earlier, finished with one and only six points against the Blue Devils (35-3), who won their 15th straight.
At the Final Four in San Antonio, top-seeded Duke will play the winner of Sunday鈥檚 game between Houston and Tennessee. Its win erased any chance of an all-Southeastern Conference show at the Final Four, but with No. 1 Florida winning earlier, it kept alive the prospect of all four top seeds playing on the sport鈥檚 biggest stage for only the second time.
- Copper Flagg and Duke lead 78 - 58 with 2:47 left.
- Labaron Philon hits a three to make it a 10 point game. Duke leads 63-53.
- Grant Nelson with the block on Copper Flagg to start the 2nd half.
SECOND HALF
- Duke leads 46 to 37 at half over Alabama.
- Duke takes a 10 point lead
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- Alabama freshman Aiden Sherrell makes two 3-pointers coming off the bench.
- First media timeout 15:53 in the first Duke leads 13 to 5.
- Cooper Flagg scores first for Duke with a 3 pointer.
FIRST HALF
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BEFORE THE GAME