Duke is moving on to the Elite Eight after a high-octane 100-93 victory over Arizona in the East Region Sweet 16 matchup Thursday night. Led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg’s dominant performance, the top-seeded Blue Devils (34-3) overcame a furious second-half surge from the Wildcats and their longtime tormentor, Caleb Love, to keep their national title hopes alive.
Flagg put on a show for the ages, delivering a stat line of 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three blocks. His highlight reel included a deep three-pointer from just inside the logo at the halftime buzzer, a dazzling no-look alley-oop pass, another no-look dime for a three-pointer, and a thunderous block that sent the ball flying into a row of Arizona cheerleaders. The 6-foot-9 freshman showcased why he is widely considered the likely No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft should he declare.
His biggest moments came when Duke needed them most. With Arizona slicing a 19-point deficit down to five with under two minutes remaining, Flagg calmly sank three of four free throws to help seal the win. Duke finished the game an impressive 9-of-10 from the line in crunch time, ensuring there would be no late-game collapse.
On the other side, Caleb Love nearly authored another chapter of Blue Devil heartbreak. The former North Carolina standout, who famously ended Mike Krzyzewski’s career in the 2022 Final Four, torched Duke for 35 points—one shy of his career high. Love scored 15 straight points for the fourth-seeded Wildcats (24-13) during a ferocious second-half push that brought them within striking distance. However, despite his heroics and strong support from Jaden Bradley (15 points), Arizona ultimately fell short.
Duke’s offensive efficiency proved too much for Arizona to overcome. The Blue Devils shot a blistering 60% from the floor and 57.9% from three-point range in what was a defense-optional affair at the Prudential Center. It was a game of highlight plays, fast breaks, and scoring runs that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
A few of Flagg’s most memorable moments. A buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the first half, giving Duke a 48-42 lead and sending him into the locker room shouting, “Let’s go, man!”
A spinning, no-look assist to Sion James for a three-pointer that ignited a second-half surge. Two jaw-dropping alley-oops—one to Khaman Maluach, the other to Kon Knueppel. A monstrous rejection of Arizona’s KJ Lewis that prevented the Wildcats from cutting the lead to single digits late in the second half.
With the win, Duke advances to an Elite Eight showdown against second-seeded Alabama, which set an NCAA Tournament record for three-pointers in a 113-88 dismantling of BYU earlier in the evening. A victory on Saturday would send the Blue Devils to their 18th Final Four in program history.
For Arizona, the loss marks the end of an era for Caleb Love, who leaves behind a legacy of clutch performances and Duke heartbreakers. However, the future remains bright for the Wildcats, as they secured a major recruiting win earlier in the day. Five-star prospect Koa Peat announced his commitment to Arizona, joining Bryce James—LeBron James’ son—in what promises to be a loaded 2025 recruiting class.
Meanwhile, Duke’s championship dreams remain very much alive, powered by the sensational play of an 18-year-old superstar who continues to prove he’s built for the game’s biggest moments.
