Flagg Leads Duke To Elite 8
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Sears Helps Set Crimson Tide 3-Point Record
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Newark, NJ – When the #1 Duke Blue Devils faced the #4 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 game Thursday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, it was the second time they would meet this season. They played each other last November in Arizona. Duke was ranked #12 and Arizona #17 at the time. Things changed in a big way for both teams by the time March Madness began. Duke would enter the tournament as the #1 seed in the East Region and Arizona the #4 seed. Duke came away with a road victory 69-55 so the Wildcats were looking to avenge that loss in what would have been a huge upset. Arizona made it a game in the first half but in the end, Duke advanced to the Elite 8 and will face #2 Alabama Saturday night.
Duke and Arizona went back and forth in the first half with the Wildcats tying the game at 36 after a KJ Lewis layup forcing Duke to call a timeout with 2:27 left in the first half. Duke would right themselves taking a 48-42 lead going into the locker room. The Blue Devils dominated the second half led by Cooper Flagg (30 points) and Kon Knueppel (20 points) in the 100-93 win. Wildcat’s Caleb Lowe did all he could, leading his team with a game high 35 points. Only one other starter scored in double figures as Jaden Bradley chipped in 15 points. Said Duke head coach Jon Scheyer of Flagg’s game, “it’s one of the best tournament performances I’ve ever coached or been a part of.”
In facing Alabama Saturday night, Duke will be playing a team that is coming off a win against Brigham Young in which they set a tournament record converting 25 3-point shots in their 113-88 victory. Guard Mark Sears connected on 10 of 16 3-pointers, finishing his night with 34 points. Duke knows they will have their work cut out for them defensively.
As for meeting with Duke again, Arizona’s head coach said, “they’re a team that they come down, they have a plan, they know what they want to get and they’re able to get to it consistently, which is hard to do. We’re not a bad defensive team but they make you feel like it for long stretches.”
The winner will advance to the Final Four which will take place next Saturday in San Antonio Texas.
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