Duke’s Defense Propels Blue Devils to 18th Final Four with 85-65 Win Over Alabama
Duke beat Alabama 85-65 in the East Region final on March 30, boosting their winning streak to 15 games and clinching their 18th Final Four appearance, thanks to strong defensive play and key contributions from Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor.
Published on March 30, 2025
In the East Region final on March 30, Duke defeated Alabama 85-65 to secure their 18th Final Four appearance. Despite a challenging shooting night from freshman Cooper Flagg, who went 6-for-16, Duke’s stifling defense shut down Alabama’s usually potent offense.
Kon Knueppel led the charge with 21 points while Tyrese Proctor added 17, contributing to Duke's impressive 15-game winning streak. Alabama, struggling with a 35.4% field goal percentage and 25% accuracy from beyond the arc, could not mount an effective challenge. Duke now looks ahead to the Final Four matchup against the winner of the Houston-Tennessee game.