Since 2011, the Prudential Center had not hosted an Eastern Regional final but this past weekend that changed and New Jerseyans showed up with almost 19,000 in attendance.
So, what happened?
On Thursday March 27, Alabama would take on BYU in an offensive shootout with Alabama coming out victorious, winning 113-88. Alabama controlled much of the game and left no point from BYU unmatched as they would go back and forth but a real game changer was Alabama’s three pointers. They set the NCAA tournament record with most three pointers in a game with 25. Alabama’s Mark Sears stole the show, nabbing 34 points and 8 assists on the night also tallying 10-of-16 3 pointers.
On the same night Duke and Arizona also shook “The Rock” with a high scoring game which saw Duke come out on top 100-93. The consensus number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Cooper Flagg showed fans in Newark why he has earned that spot dropping 30 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Duke did have trouble containing Caleb Love, Arizona’s own superstar as he dropped 35 points and was on the court for the longest of any player the night with 40 minutes of playing time. With under two minutes left Arizona got within 5 points of tying up but Duke held on. Duke would face Alabama in the Eastern Regional Final and to see who goes onto the Final Four.
Duke vs. Alabama
In a much more technical and low scoring game Duke dominated Alabama winning 85-65 sending Duke to their 18th Final Four appearance. Alabama only shot at a 35.4% field goal percentage and 25% for 3 pointers while Duke had 53.6% for field goal percentage and 46.2% for three pointers. While Flagg only had 16 points and wasn’t as offensively dominant as last game, he hogged much attention from the Alabama defense letting his teammates eat with Kon Knueppel grabbing 21 points and Tyrese Proctor with 17 points respectively.
Duke will now take on No. 1 Houston in San Antonio in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4.
