Duke basketball rolled to another dominant win in the NCAA Tournament as they secured a trip to San Antonio.
Duke and Alabama came into the Elite Eight after scoring 100 and 113 points, respectively, in the Sweet Sixteen. While momentum goes a long way in March, the Crimson Tide could not find their rhythm. The Blue Devils led by nine at halftime and slowly pulled away in the second half. Duke went on to win 85-65, which is the third time in the NCAA Tournament that the Blue Devils won by double-figures.
In the Sweet Sixteen, Alabama broke Loyola Marymount’s NCAA Tournament Record by hitting 25 three-pointers. However, in the game after Loyola Marymount set the record, they went out and shot just 25% from behind the arc. In this Elite Eight matchup, the Crimson Tide could not overturn the trend as they shot exactly 25% from behind the arc.
“But I think it’s a credit to our guys for not getting spooked by the 25 threes, because it can spook you where you’re so spread,” Jon Scheyer said.
The main difference in this game was the pace. Coming into the game, Alabama played at the fastest tempo in college basketball, while Duke basketball ranked outside of the top 260 in adjusted tempo. On Alabama’s first possession, the Blue Devils forced the Crimson Tide to use the entire shot clock, resulting in a miss from way downtown from Mark Sears. From that point on, Duke imposed their controlled tempo on the game.
On the season, Alabama averaged more than 75 possessions per 40 minutes. However, in the Elite Eight, the Crimson Tide were held to 69 possessions, which favored the Blue Devils style. Mix this with a poor shooting night, and Duke dominated their way into the Final Four.
The Blue Devils are ranked inside the top five in defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and they proved that on Saturday. While slowing down the pace and dominating the three-point line, Duke basketball also dominated in the painted area. The Blue Devils outscored the Crimson Tide 40-28 in points in the paint.
Duke’s star freshmen were on full display in this game. Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach combined for 51 of Duke’s 85 points. While Flagg was not able to match his 30-point performance from the Sweet Sixteen, he scored 16 points and added 9 rebounds.
However, even though Flagg was not the focal point on the offensive end, Knueppel stepped up for the Blue Devils. The freshman scored 21 points, which is an NCAA Tournament high for the guard.
“We just have such a talented team. Each night could be somebody else’s night,” Flagg said. “I think tonight Kon kind of stepped up and had the ball a lot.”
With three freshmen in the starting five, Duke basketball is arguably the youngest and most inexperienced team in the final four. However, for what they lack in experience, they make up for in pure talent. Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach each provide a different skill set that helps to balance out the Blue Devils on both sides of the ball.
“They’re mature. Age is just a number. And obviously it’s different to have three freshmen starting,” Scheyer said. “Tonight we played five freshmen on a team that’s going to a Final Four.”
Duke will now move on to face Houston, which is one of the most experienced teams in college basketball. Regardless of the experience disparity, the Blue Devils are the favorite to win the national championship. If they continue to ride the momentum, Duke will be a hard team to take down in the Alamodome.