Duke vs Alabama basketball updates: Score, highlights from Blue Devils' Elite Eight win

In 2022, Duke men's basketball faced something close to an existential crisis when legendary coach and program patriarch Mike Krzyzewski retired and handed the Blue Devils over to then-34-year-old Jon Scheyer.

Three years later, many of those concerns have been quieted, as Duke is returning to the biggest stage in college basketball.

Behind 21 points from freshman Kon Knueppel, the Blue Devils blew past Alabama 85-65 in the Elite Eight of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Knueppel was one of four Duke starters to finish in double figures, a group that included presumptive No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg and his 16 points. Flagg was named the East Region most outstanding player.

The Blue Devils shot 53.6% from the field as a team and 46.2% from 3-point range. Defensively, they held Alabama All-American Mark Sears, fresh off a 34-point explosion against BYU in the Sweet 16, to six points on 2-of-12 shooting. As a team, the 3-point-happy Crimson Tide made only eight of its 32 shots from beyond the arc.

The USA TODAY Network tracked the action live. Follow along below for the score, updates and highlights from Duke's win.

Duke vs Alabama score updates

Duke outscores Alabama 39-28 in the second half to pull away for an 85-65 victory Saturday in the Elite Eight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, sending it to its first Final Four since Mike Krzyzewski's retirement three years ago. Four of the Blue Devils' five starters finished in double figures, led by Kon Knueppel's 21 points.

Duke vs Alabama live updates

Who does Duke play next?

With its win over Alabama behind it, Duke will face off in the Final Four against the winner of Sunday's Elite Eight matchup between Houston and Tennessee. The Blue Devils eliminated the top-seeded Cougars from the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a 54-51 victory in the Sweet 16.

Final Four schedule

Here's a look at where the Final Four schedule stands right now, following the first two Elite Eight games:

• No. 1 seed Duke vs. No. 1 seed Houston/No. 2 seed Tennessee
• No. 1 seed Florida vs. No. 1 seed Auburn/No. 2 seed Michigan State

It has yet to be determined which teams will be in which game, but the first game of the Final Four is set to tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5 while the second game follows at 8:49 p.m. ET.

Duke beats Alabama, advances to Final Four

In their third season under coach Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils are headed to the biggest stage in college basketball. Three years after Mike Krzyzewski's retirement, Duke is in the Final Four, blowing past Alabama 85-65 in the Elite Eight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Freshman Kon Knueppel led the way for the Blue Devils, with a game-high 21 points.

Duke will take on the winner of Sunday's game between Houston and Tennessee in the national semifinals next Saturday.

Cooper Flagg points today

Flagg finished with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, along with nine rebounds, three assists, a block and four turnovers. The freshman phenom was named the East Region most outstanding player.

Mark Sears points today

Two days after racking up 34 points in a Sweet 16 win against BYU, Sears was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting in his final college game, along with six assists and five turnovers. He didn't make his first 3-pointer of the night until 16:17 remained in regulation. He made 10 3s in the victory against BYU.

Duke up on Alabama in final minutes

Duke is inching closer to a spot in the Final Four in San Antonio next week, with a 69-58 lead with 6:39 remaining. The Blue Devils have been guided by a relatively balanced effort, with four of their five starters scoring between 12 and 17 points.

Grant Nelson blocks Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg made his way to the rim early in the second half looking to end up on a poster by throwing it down on Alabama forward Grant Nelson. Instead, Flagg was on the on the less-desirable end of the exchange, with Nelson meeting him mid-air and sending his shot back.

You can see the play here:

Duke leads Alabama by nine at halftime

Cooper Flagg, Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils are 20 minutes from the Final Four, with a 46-37 halftime lead over Alabama in their Elite Eight matchup. Flagg's fellow Duke freshman Kon Knueppel leads all scorers with 11 points while Flagg has 10. Mark Sears has been relatively quiet for the Crimson Tide, with only two points on 1-of-4 shooting two days after going off for 34 points in a Sweet 16 win against BYU.

Duke has made 18 of its 32 shots (56.3%), including 5 of its 9 3-pointers (55.6%).

Maliq Brown injury update

After missing Duke's first three games in the NCAA Tournament, Maliq Brown returned to the court for the Blue Devils late in the first half. Brown, a Syracuse transfer, has been a defensive ace for Duke for much of the season, but has dislocated his shoulder twice in the past two months and is wearing a large black sleeve on his shoulder.

Duke has early lead on Alabama

In a frenetic, fast-paced game, Duke has an early 23-17 advantage over Alabama at the second media timeout of the first half. The Blue Devils are off to a blistering offensive start, making 9 of their first 15 shots, including 3 of their first 4 3-pointers. Tyrese Proctor is leading the way for Duke in the opening minutes, with seven points.

Cooper Flagg stats

As only a freshman, the Duke star and presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft has emerged as one of the front-runners for various national player of the year awards. In what will almost certainly be his only college season, the ACC player of the year and first-team All-American is averaging 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.2% from 3-point range.

Mark Sears stats

An Alabama native who transferred into the program after two seasons at Ohio, Sears is the catalyst of a high-powered, fast-paced Alabama offense. The Crimson Tide point guard, a first-team All-American this season, is averaging 19 points, 5.1 assists and three rebounds per game this season while shooting 40.9% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range during the 2024-25 campaign.

Cooper Flagg height

Flagg is listed at 6-foot-9 on Duke's official roster.

Where is Duke vs Alabama being played?

Duke and Alabama's Elite Eight game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament is being played at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

What conference is Duke in?

Duke hails from the ACC, and is the conference's lone representative in the Elite Eight. The SEC leads all Elite Eight teams with four teams (Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee), followed by the Big 12 (Houston and Texas Tech), Big Ten (Michigan State) and ACC.

What channel is the Duke game on?

• TV Channel: TBS/truTV
• Stream:Sling TV | Max

Duke vs Alabama will stream on TBS and truTV. Viewers and cord-cutters can find the game on Sling TV, which carries the Warner Bros. Discovery family of networks, or Max, which is airing March Madness games live.

Duke vs Alabama live stream

• Live stream: Sling TV | Max

Duke's Elite Eight game against Alabama can be streamed on Sling TV, which carries the Warner Bros. Discovery family of networks, as well as Max.

Duke vs Alabama betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, March 29

• Spread: Duke (-7.5)
• O/U: 174.5
• Moneyline: Duke -325 | Alabama +260

Duke vs Alabama expert predictions

• Emilee Smarr, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama 89, Duke 81: The Crimson Tide has never taken down the Blue Devils, but there's a first time for everything, and another 25-for-51 performance from 3 could do it. Another night like that would be nice against a team of Blue Devils that's shooting over 38% from 3 while limiting opponents to about 30% around the perimeter, just like Alabama's defense. ...
• Rodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer: Duke 85, Alabama 79: Both teams have elite bucket-getters, but the Blue Devils are far better at stacking stops. As it has for most of the season, Duke's defense will be the difference. Jon Scheyer's Devils will beat the Crimson Tide and cut down the nets in Jersey.

What time is Duke vs Alabama today?

• 8:49 p.m. ET

Duke and Alabama are in the late slot Saturday, getting an 8:49 p.m. tip-off time from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. However, the game could be delayed if the first game of the night, Florida-Texas Tech, runs long.

NCAA basketball schedule today

There are two Elite Eight games taking place in the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament on Saturday, with the final two matchups of the national quarterfinals being held on Sunday.

• West Region: No. 1 seed Florida 84, No. 3 seed Texas Tech 79
• East Region: No. 1 seed Duke vs. No. 2 seed Alabama, 8:59 p.m. ET