The Arizona Wildcats faced the Duke Blue Devils in an exciting Sweet 16 matchup. This is during the NCAA tournament. Both teams had high hopes of advancing to the Elite Eight. However, only one could move forward. Thus, Duke secured the win. This ended Arizona’s tournament run with a final score of 100-93. Continue reading to learn more about the Arizona Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils basketball match and player stats.
Arizona vs. Duke Basketball Game
Duke started the game strong and maintained a lead. This was for much of the contest. The Blue Devils had a comfortable margin that grew to nearly 20 points in the second half. Although Arizona made a strong comeback, Duke held on to get the victory. Thus, the match showed exceptional performances from key players on both teams.
Duke Blue Devils Player Stats
1. Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg played an integral role in Duke’s win. He led the team in points. Also, he contributed significantly in assists and rebounds. Thus, Flagg’s passing and scoring helped establish Duke’s early lead. The points were 30 and 6 rebounds. Moreover, there were 7 assists and 12 of 20 field goals.
2. Kon Kneuppel
Kneuppel also had a strong performance. He added valuable points and rebounded. Thus, he supported the Blue Devils’ high-scoring effort. Also, the points were 20 with 5 rebounds. Finally, the field goals were 7 of 12.
3. Additional Duke Players
Tyrese Proctor scored 12 points and provided solid defense. Also, Sion James made integral contributions. This includes a key three-pointer. Overall, Duke shot 61.3% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range. Thus, the offense was efficient and balanced throughout the game.
Arizona Wildcats Player Stats
1. Caleb Love
Caleb Love had an impressive game for Arizona. Also, he scored a game-high 35 points. The player tried to keep Arizona in the contest. Despite his efforts, the Wildcats fell short against a strong Duke team. Moreover, the points were 35 and 11 of 21 field goals. The three-point shooting was 5 of 11. Finally, there were 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist.
2. Other Key Arizona Players
Azuolas Tubelis contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds. Tubelis provided strong support in the paint. Also, Kylan Boswell scored 12 points and helped with ball distribution. Arizona managed to shoot 42.9% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Despite their strong three-point shooting, they could not keep up with Duke’s scoring advantage.
Arizona vs. Duke Basketball Game Recap
The first half ended with Duke leading 48-42. Cooper Flagg hit a three-pointer. This is just before the halftime buzzer to extend their lead. In the second half, Duke pushed their advantage to 20 points. Nevertheless, Arizona rallied to cut the lead to just seven in the final moments. But, they failed to complete the comeback. Duke’s impressive shooting and teamwork let them maintain their lead. Arizona’s attempts to fight back were also commendable. However, the Blue Devils’ firepower proved too much.
Next Steps for Duke
Duke advanced to the Elite Eight with this victory. They will face the Alabama Crimson Tide. They defeated BYU in the previous round. Thus, Duke looks to continue their momentum as they aim for a chance at the NCAA championship.
The matchup between Arizona and Duke was filled with thrilling moments and standout performances. Caleb Love made headlines with his scoring for Arizona. This was while Duke Cooper’s Flagg showed his all-round skills. Thus, the game showed the intensity of March Madness. Both teams put their best foot forward. Duke’s win keeps their championship hopes alive as they move forward to face Alabama in the next round.
