After guiding his team to an ACC championship win without Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and the Duke Blue Devils are heading to the Final Four, their first appearance under coach Jon Scheyer.
On Saturday night, No. 1 seed Duke, favored by 6.5 points (ESPN BET), cruised by Mark Sears and No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide, 85-65, in the Elite Eight.
Coming from a 20-point outing in the Sweet 16 against No. 4 Arizona, Knueppel was at it again, recording a new tournament-high 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Flagg added 16 points, ten of which came in the first half, nine rebounds and three assists.
After the win, both Scheyer and Knueppel joined TBS sideline reporter Allie LaForce for a postgame interview. When LaForce asked Scheyer how Knueppel set the tone early, scoring five points in the opening 2:30, the Duke coach shared his thoughts.
“This guy’s a stud right here,” Scheyer said as he pointed to Knueppel. “He’s the ultimate warrior, competitor and he really carried us throughout tonight… Man, this guy’s been incredible man. He’s been incredible.”Knueppel, posting a 20-5-5 game, was then asked how he reads the defense so well.
“I mean, I’m a slow guy,” Knueppel said. “So I try to make it slow. I tricked a couple, but I’m glad most of them went down.”
The Blue Devils now make it to its first Final Four since 2022, where they will face the winner of No. 1 Houston Cougars and No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers in San Antonio, Texas.
