The March Madness field is dwindling, and the top teams are making their moves to reach the Final Four. The Florida Gators and Duke Blue Devils secured spots with wins over Texas Tech Red Raiders and Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night.
Duke’s 85-65 victory over Alabama was a dominant performance by the Blue Devils. They were able to consistently finish at the rim or throw lobs to Khaman Maluach for easy dunks, showcasing their depth and talent. Kon Knueppel led the way with 21 points, while Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Coach Jon Scheyer’s team has an advantage in terms of talent, allowing them to overcome adversity and remain competitive during practices. The roster is filled with elite players, including NBA prospects Maluach and Knueppel, making it difficult for other teams to assemble a comparable collection of talent.
The key factor in Duke’s success was their ability to protect the rim and defend the paint. They forced Alabama into awkward shots, limiting their options around the rim. The Blue Devils’ assertive interior defense was a major factor in their victory.
On the other side, Florida secured its spot with an 84-79 win over Texas Tech. The Gators trailed by ten points with 5:24 left but managed to close the gap with a clutch 18-4 run. Walter Clayton Jr.’s game-high 30 points were instrumental in securing the victory.
The No. 1 factor that helped Florida reach the Final Four was their ability to turn games around with devastating runs, which has been evident throughout the season. The team’s ability to seize control of games and launch knockout punches against elite teams is unmatched.
Walter Clayton Jr.’s brilliance will be crucial in the Final Four. His sheer will and talent make him a star player who can shine under pressure. With the Final Four being all about stars, Florida might have the biggest star of them all in Clayton Jr.
The stage is set for an exciting semifinals matchup next Saturday. The Elite Eight continues with Tennessee vs. Houston (2:20 p.m. ET) and Michigan State vs. Auburn (5:05 p.m. ET).
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44457241/2025-mens-march-madness-live-tracker-elite-eight-florida-duke-alabama-texas-tech