SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
In the city of Newark there was plenty of March Madness happening this past week.
The Prudential Center was packed with a sellout crowd both nights for the NCAA East Regional. It started last Thursday night with the Sweet Sixteen. First, Alabama took on BYU, and the Crimson Tide came out swinging with star Mark Sears dominating BYU with 34 points and 10-16 in 3 point range. Aden Holoway added 24 points for ‘Bama. Leading the BYU Cougars was Richie Sanders with 25 points and 6 rebounds and Trevin Kull led with 10 points and 3 rebounds. Alabama was red hot from the field and especially from downtown, winning 113-88.
Then, East #1 seed Duke handled Arizona 100-93 in the second Sweet Sixteen match up. Likely #1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg who led with 30 points and 8 rebounds. Also leading the Blue Devils to the win was Kon Knueppel with 20 points and 4 rebounds and Sion James with 16 points and 3 rebounds. Leading Arizona was Caleb Love with 35 points and 4 rebounds.
The Elite Eight East Regional Final saw Duke take on Alabama. The Blue Devils defeated the Crimson Tide handily 85-65. Flagg had 16 points and Knueppel had 21 points and five rebounds.
With the win, Duke advanced to the Final Four, along with fellow #1 seeds Houston, Florida, and Auburn. This is only the second ever time that all four #1s advanced to the Final Four in the modern era. If Alabama and Tennessee won their Elite Eight games, then it would have been an all-SEC Final Four. Houston beat Tennessee 69-50, Florida slipped by Texas Tech 84-79, and Auburn beat Michigan State 70-64.
The Final Four will tip off Saturday in San Antonio, with the title game set for Monday.
