NEWARK, N.J. — With just 6:39 left on the clock, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer gathered his team for a crucial moment that could determine their fate in the NCAA tournament. Taking a deep breath, he delivered a powerful message that resonated throughout the huddle: “It’s our time, right f—ing now. Right f—ing now! This is our game.” This rallying cry proved to be pivotal as the Blue Devils dominated the game, ultimately defeating the Crimson Tide 85-65, marking their first Final Four appearance under Scheyer and the program’s 18th overall, with their last reaching back to 2022.
Duke’s impressive victory came just two days after Alabama showcased a historic offensive performance in the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils, known for their top-five defense, stepped up to the challenge, effectively neutralizing Alabama's high-paced offense. With this win, Duke advances to face the winner of the South Regional final between Houston and Tennessee next Saturday. Earlier in the day, No. 1 Florida secured their spot by defeating Texas Tech.
The Blue Devils' defense has been instrumental throughout the season, guiding them to both ACC regular-season and tournament victories, earning them the No. 1 ranking in the nation and the top seed in the East Regional. Now, Duke stands just two games away from securing a sixth national championship banner to hang in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Given Alabama's explosive offense, which recently set an NCAA Tournament record by hitting 25 three-pointers, the key to success for Duke was to contain their scoring. The Crimson Tide struggled significantly, finishing the game shooting only 23-for-65 (35.4 percent) overall, including an alarming 8-for-32 from beyond the arc. Duke remarkably limited Alabama to just eight fast-break points, significantly below their season average of 13.7, which ranked 18th in the nation according to CBB Analytics.
Scheyer’s strategy was clear throughout the game, consistently urging his players to “get our asses back, play our f—ing pace and do what you do.” The Blue Devils got off to an incredible start, with Cooper Flagg, who finished the game with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, hitting a three-pointer on their opening possession. This set the tone for a 15-5 run that laid the groundwork for their commanding lead, which stood at 46-37 at halftime.
Duke's offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting an impressive 56.3 percent in the first half. They matched Alabama’s three-point shooting with five made shots, but did so on ten fewer attempts, showcasing their efficiency. One of the significant factors in Duke’s success was their ability to apply pressure on Alabama's All-American guard, Mark Sears. Sears, who had been a standout performer for the Crimson Tide, was held scoreless for the first 17:43 of the game, recording three turnovers in the process.
As the second half commenced, the atmosphere was electric, with Flagg’s mother, Kelly, encapsulating the sentiments of Duke fans everywhere: “100 more minutes, that’s all I want.” Alabama's sluggish start to the second half, hitting only 1-for-7 from the field, allowed Duke to maintain their lead. Even during a stretch where the Blue Devils struggled to score, their ability to draw fouls and convert free throws (19-for-22 overall, including 14-for-16 in the second half) kept Alabama at bay.
As the game progressed, Alabama attempted to mount a comeback, shooting 10 of their 14 total free throws in the second half. Scheyer reminded his team of Alabama's free-throw shooting prowess in that critical huddle with 6:39 to play. This message resonated, as Alabama could only muster seven additional points for the remainder of the game, marking their lowest total since January 14.
In the final minutes, a decisive 11-0 run, capped off by a Flagg floater, solidified Duke's victory and transformed the closing moments into a celebration of their achievement. This Blue Devils team has once again proven its capability to contend for the national title, and fans are left eagerly anticipating their next matchup as they chase glory in the NCAA tournament.
