Elite Eight action showcased the dominance of chalk as two top seeds, Florida and Duke, secured their spots in the Final Four in San Antonio on Saturday.
Here’s what unfolded during the thrilling Elite Eight matchups:
Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel propel Duke to Final Four
With under eight minutes remaining, the atmosphere in the arena was electric as Alabama narrowed Duke’s lead to just seven points. Jon Scheyer’s youthful Blue Devils faced a critical moment. How would they respond?
Cooper Flagg quickly provided an answer, sinking a baseline jumper over Mark Sears. Khaman Maluach followed up with a powerful dunk, extending Duke’s lead to 69-58. Just when it seemed the Crimson Tide had found their rhythm, the Blue Devils demonstrated their growth, transforming from a team that endured tough early-season losses to Kentucky and Kansas into a squad that appears nearly invincible as they head to the Final Four.
Duke’s triumph stemmed from their tenacious defense, limiting Alabama to a scoreless stretch of four minutes and embarking on a 7-0 run after their lead shrank to 65-58. They held Sears to a mere six points on 2-of-12 shooting, presenting a stark contrast to last year’s success when he led the Tide to their first Final Four.
With just 4:30 left, Sears found himself on the left wing but stumbled into a travel call while attempting to drive past Flagg. Following a turnover, he tried to push the pace but was met by Tyrese Proctor, who took a charge, leading to a timeout. Flagg’s free throws and a late basket over Sears sealed the game for Duke.
A decisive 13-0 run over five minutes underscored why this Duke team is a formidable contender in San Antonio next weekend. Their length and athleticism stifled Alabama’s high-octane offense, which averaged 91.4 points per game, forcing them into their lowest scoring performance of the season.
Flagg finished the game with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting. While he wasn’t at his peak from the previous game, his contributions were pivotal in reinforcing Duke’s status as the nation’s premier team.
Kon Knueppel added 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, including a standout pass to Sion James for an easy dunk that widened Duke’s lead to 11 points with 8:44 remaining. Maluach anchored the inside game with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Proctor continued his impressive March run with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Despite Duke’s strong offensive showing, hitting 54% from the field and 46% from three-point range, Saturday’s victory was largely attributed to their defensive prowess. They effectively contained Sears and limited Alabama to just 8-of-32 (25%) shooting, a drastic drop from their 25-of-51 performance earlier in the tournament.
For Scheyer, this moment serves as validation in his third year as head coach, marking his inaugural trip to the Final Four and affirming his successful transition from Mike Krzyzewski’s shadow.
The quest for a first title in a decade is alive, as this Duke squad possesses all the necessary tools to achieve greatness.
– John Fanta
Gators stage remarkable comeback, secure Final Four berth
In a historic weekend for the SEC, Florida emerged as the first of four schools from the conference to reach the Final Four. The Gators, seeded first in the West, had previously defeated fourth-seeded Maryland in the Sweet 16. They faced No. 3 Texas Tech on Saturday, aiming for a return to the national semifinals for the first time since 2014, the last season under former coach Billy Donovan.
This season has captivated the Gators’ fan base, featuring 33 wins in 37 games, an SEC Tournament title, and a remarkable nine-game winning streak dating back to March 1. It’s no surprise that Florida has become a popular pick for a national championship.
Standing in Florida’s way was a resilient Texas Tech team that needed a dramatic late-game comeback, including overtime, to overcome 10th-seeded Arkansas in their Sweet 16 matchup. Head coach Grant McCasland’s squad, trailing by 16 points with 10:23 left, rallied with contributions from JT Toppin, Darrion Williams, and Christian Anderson, all scoring over 20 points to keep their season alive. The Red Raiders also welcomed back shooting guard Chance McMillian, who had been sidelined for five games due to an oblique injury, adding to the excitement of the matchup.
The first half was tightly contested, with Florida heading into halftime with a three-point lead, extending their streak of 28 consecutive wins when leading at the break, tied for the longest in the nation. The question loomed: could Texas Tech, with notable disadvantages in height and depth, mount a second-half challenge relying on perimeter shooting and offensive rebounds?
The answer came in the form of a striking 12-2 run by Texas Tech midway through the second half. During this stretch, Williams (23 points, five rebounds), Toppin (20 points, 11 rebounds), and Federiko Federiko (four points, two rebounds) showcased their strength in the paint, dominating Florida with aggressive offensive rebounding that forced Gators coach Todd Golden to call a timeout to halt the momentum shift. The Red Raiders surged ahead by ten points with 7:49 remaining, creating their largest lead of the tournament and heightening the potential for an upset. When Florida was called for a shot-clock violation shortly after, Golden’s frustration was palpable as he put his hands on his head.
– Michael Cohen
