On Bleav In Duke Podcast Shelden Williams, Stephen Wiseman Are Recapping Duke's Sweet 16 Win Over Arizona, Are Previewing Duke, Alabama Elite 8 With Trip To Final Four At Stake
he month of March is about surviving, advancing!
Duke who is the 1 seed in the East Region did both in Sweet 16 when opposing Arizona, Caleb Love who was 4 seed in East Region!
As Duke advanced to Elite 8 Duke survived Arizona coming back in Sweet 16 Duke defensively let Arizona score 93 points.
This season defensively Duke has held their opponents to 62.5 % shooting
According to goduke.com
That wasn’t the case on Thursday night as Duke let Caleb Love the former North Carolina guard score 35 points shooting 11-21 on field goals , 5-11 on 3 pointers to go along with 4 rebounds, 1 assists. Jaden Bradley Despite Caleb Love’s efforts Duke wouldn’t be denied a spot in the Elite 8 as four players would score in double figures .
Cooper Flagg was 9-19 on field goals , 3-5 on 3 pointers , 9-10 on free throws 6 rebounds, 7 assists , 1 steal, 3 blocks to go along with 30 points. Khaman Maluach was 6-8 on field goals , 1-1 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds , , 4 blocks, 13 points. Kon Knueppel was 5-7 on field goals , 2-2 on 3 pointers , 8-9 on free throws to go along with 4 rebounds , 20 points. Sion James was 5-6 on field goals , 3-4 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 4 assists 16 points.
According to espn app
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey graduate student Sion James from Tulane who was 5-6 on field goals , 3-4 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 4 assists 16 points had this to say about Duke about how Duke played defensively!
I think in that second half situation , stay together stay focused . Understand that we asked for this. We prepared for this moment . Nothing happened that we weren’t ready for . They weren’t ready for it with much game experience , but they showed their practice and study work prepped them nicely. We weren’t great defensively . I’m not sure if we’ve given up 93 points all year . Obviously Arizona ‘s a really good team . A really high scoring team , with some of the best , most talented players in the country . Sometimes it happens. It’s some of the controllable ones we gotta fix.’
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey freshman guard Kon Knueppel who was 5-7 on field goals , 2-2 on 3 pointers , 8-9 on free throws to go along with 4 rebounds , 20 points had this to say about how Duke played defensively about Caleb Love about how many offensive rebounds duke gave up to Arizona I thought we sucked . I thought Caleb Love was unbelievable . He played really , really, well. Twelve, That’s too many we actually outrebounded them . We wanted to do that , but I thought we were piss poor defensively.
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer had this to say!
I thought the whole game there were some uncharacteristic plays that Arizona made us pay for and whatever it’s discipline you have to have off the ball some of the loose balls we didn’t come up with- I love the fact that we weren’t perfect , and you’re not necessarily perfect in these games . Just to hang tough , look they just put a ton of game pressure on us,
I thought our guys made some big -time winning plays, A lot of game pressure . They just wouldn’t go away , even with a 19 point lead . No lead really felt save with them. I thought our guys hit some clutch free throws, made enough plays . Obviously it was hard to get stops for anything in this game , but sometimes obviously that’s how it goes . I couldn’t be more proud.
According to Rodd Baxley ‘s Fayetteville News & Observer article https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2025/03/28/duke-basketball-defense-alabama-ncaa-tournament-elite-8/82638360007/
According to Stephen Wiseman ‘s News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article302923479.html
Duke, Alabama are opposing each other Saturday night in Elite 8 with berth to Final Four in San Antonio at stake.
Duke is the 1 seed in the East Region!
Alabama is the 2 seed in the East Region!
Duke is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference!
Alabama is a member of the Southeastern Conference!
Duke (34-3) advanced to the Elite 8 with 100-93 win over Arizona Thursday night!
The month of March is about surviving, advancing!
Duke who is the 1 seed in the East Region did both in Sweet 16 when opposing Arizona, Caleb Love who was 4 seed in East Region!
As Duke advanced to Elite 8 Duke survived Arizona coming back in Sweet 16 Duke defensively let Arizona score 93 points.
This season defensively Duke has held their opponents to 62.5 % shooting
According to goduke.com
That wasn’t the case on Thursday night as Duke let Caleb Love the former North Carolina guard score 35 points shooting 11-21 on field goals , 5-11 on 3 pointers to go along with 4 rebounds, 1 assists. Jaden Bradley Despite Caleb Love’s efforts Duke wouldn’t be denied a spot in the Elite 8 as four players would score in double figures .
Cooper Flagg was 9-19 on field goals , 3-5 on 3 pointers , 9-10 on free throws 6 rebounds, 7 assists , 1 steal, 3 blocks to go along with 30 points. Khaman Maluach was 6-8 on field goals , 1-1 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds , , 4 blocks, 13 points. Kon Knueppel was 5-7 on field goals , 2-2 on 3 pointers , 8-9 on free throws to go along with 4 rebounds , 20 points. Sion James was 5-6 on field goals , 3-4 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 4 assists 16 points.
According to espn app
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey graduate student Sion James from Tulane who was 5-6 on field goals , 3-4 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 4 assists 16 points had this to say about Duke about how Duke played defensively!
I think in that second half situation , stay together stay focused . Understand that we asked for this. We prepared for this moment . Nothing happened that we weren’t ready for . They weren’t ready for it with much game experience , but they showed their practice and study work prepped them nicely. We weren’t great defensively . I’m not sure if we’ve given up 93 points all year . Obviously Arizona ‘s a really good team . A really high scoring team , with some of the best , most talented players in the country . Sometimes it happens. It’s some of the controllable ones we gotta fix.’
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey freshman guard Kon Knueppel who was 5-7 on field goals , 2-2 on 3 pointers , 8-9 on free throws to go along with 4 rebounds , 20 points had this to say about how Duke played defensively about Caleb Love about how many offensive rebounds duke gave up to Arizona I thought we sucked . I thought Caleb Love was unbelievable . He played really , really, well. Twelve, That’s too many we actually outrebounded them . We wanted to do that , but I thought we were piss poor defensively.
Following Duke surviving Arizona , Caleb Love coming back in sweet 16 to advance to Elite 8 with 100-93 win Thursday night in Newark New Jersey Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer had this to say!
I thought the whole game there were some uncharacteristic plays that Arizona made us pay for and whatever it’s discipline you have to have off the ball some of the loose balls we didn’t come up with- I love the fact that we weren’t perfect , and you’re not necessarily perfect in these games . Just to hang tough , look they just put a ton of game pressure on us,
I thought our guys made some big -time winning plays, A lot of game pressure . They just wouldn’t go away , even with a 19 point lead . No lead really felt save with them. I thought our guys hit some clutch free throws, made enough plays . Obviously it was hard to get stops for anything in this game , but sometimes obviously that’s how it goes . I couldn’t be more proud.
According to Rodd Baxley ‘s Fayetteville News & Observer article https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2025/03/28/duke-basketball-defense-alabama-ncaa-tournament-elite-8/82638360007/
According to Stephen Wiseman ‘s News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article302923479.html
Alabama (28-8 advanced to the Elite 8 with 113-88 win over BYU on Thursday night in Newark New Jersey!
Four players scored in double figures Clifford Omoruyi was 2-4 on field goals , 6-6 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds , 2 assists , 2 steals, 10 points . Chris Youngblood was 6-12 on field goals , 5-11 on 3 pointers , 2-2 on free throws to go along with 3 rebounds , 19 points. Mark Sears was 11-18 on field goals , 10-16 on 3 pointers , 2-2 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 8 assists , 3 steals , 34 points. Aden Holloway was 7-14 on field goals , 6-13 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along 2 rebounds, 3 assists , 2 steals , 23 points.
Following Alabama’s 113-88 win over BYU who was 6th seed in East Region Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats had this to say about his team!
That was a fun game if you like offense. That was fun for the fans, I'm sure, at least for the Alabama fans. Listen, I've got to teach these guys some math. I told (Mark) Sears there's a thing called regression to the mean. His last six games he was shooting 14 percent, 5-of-35. He's not a 14 percent shooter, obviously. They had been going under ball screens just about every game we watched. I told both those guys, (Aden) Holloway and Sears, man, I hope they go under us because we're going to reign them. So, we were in the gym last night, the night before. These guys show up for voluntary shooting every time it's available to make sure that they're ready to go, and that work pays off. We want to base our program on hard work. I am so proud of our guys. We're in the Elite Eight for the third time in school history and back-to-back seasons. I thought everybody played well in their roles tonight."
According to https://rolltide.com/news/2025/3/27/mens-basketball-alabama-uses-historic-shooting-night-to-advance-to-second-consecutive-ncaa-elite-eight
Following Alabama’s 113-88 win over BYU who was 6th seed in East Region Alabama guard Mark Sears who was was 11-18 on field goals , 10-16 on 3 pointers , (10 3 Pointers) 2-2 on free throws to go along 3 rebounds, 8 assists , 3 steals , 34 points had this to say about hitting 10 three pointers making 10 3 pointers. I felt like the basket was as big as an ocean , I lost myself in the game.
According to Associated Press article on ESPN App
Tip off is set for 8:49 pm Eastern Time 7:49pm Central Time from Prudential Center that is home of Seton Hall Men’s Basketball as well as the New Jersey Devils of NHL!
The game is going to be televised on TBS with Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce commentating!
On Bleav In Duke Podcast Shelden Williams, Stephen Wiseman are recapping Duke’s Sweet 16 win over Arizona, are previewing Duke, Alabama Elite 8 with trip to final four at stake.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/duke-ousts-arizona-caleb-love-bama-up-next/id1565983827?i=1000701271988
Who are Shelden Williams, Stephen Wiseman?
Shelden Williams is a former Duke power forward, center!
As a freshman at Duke in 2002-2003,
Shelden Williams received ACC All-Freshman honorable mention accolades ... started 23 of 33 games ... averaged 8.2 points, team-best 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game ... averaged 8.9 points and 6.7 boards in ACC play ... was fourth in the ACC in blocked shots (1.58), sixth in offensive rebounds (2.55), 10th in rebounding (5.9) and 15th in defensive rebounds (3.36) ... led Duke and was fifth in the ACC with six double-doubles ... posted the top mark in the ACC with six blocked shots against Maryland (2/19) ... recorded four or more blocks in a game five times ... season highs were 20 points twice, 17 rebounds versus Florida State (3/6), two assists three times and six blocked shots versus Maryland (2/19) ... part of a freshman class that averaged 33.6 points per game, the sixth-highest figure by a rookie class in ACC history ... averaged a team-best 7.3 rebounds in three NCAA Tournament games ... averaged 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots during the final 13 games of 2002-03 ... shot .541 from the field during that 13-game stretch ... both his rebounds and blocks per game ranked second among all ACC freshmen behind only Georgia Tech’s Chris Bosh ... large reason why Duke ranked 15th nationally in blocked shots per game (5.4) ... had nine points, game-high 12 rebounds and three blocked shots against Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament first round (3/20) ... posted his sixth double-double with 12 points and season-high 17 rebounds and blocked four shots against Florida State (3/6) ... recorded his fifth double-double and his second in three games with 10 points, game-high 10 rebounds and three blocked shots against Georgia Tech (2/26) ... recorded his fourth double-double with 13 points and game-high 11 rebounds against Maryland (2/19) ... also blocked career-high six shots and tallied two steals vs. the Terps in that game ... led all players with season-high 20 points against Virginia (2/15) ... also had eight rebounds, four blocked shots, two steals and two assists versus the Cavaliers ... tallied eight points and team-high 10 rebounds against Wake Forest (2/13) ... posted double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds against Georgia Tech (1/25) ... had eight points and game-high nine rebounds against Virginia (1/15) ... posted second career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Georgetown (1/8) ... recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds for first career double-double against Fairfield (1/2) ... also registered three steals and two blocked shots versus the Stags ... blocked four shots against Michigan (12/7) ... recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four blocked shots, one assist and two steals against Davidson (11/25).
As a sophomore at Duke in 2003-2004,
Shelden Williams was a third team Basketball Times All-America, second-team All-ACC, first-team NABC All-District 5, USBWA All-District 3, ACC All-Defensive team, unanimous ACC All-Tournament team and NCAA All-Atlanta Regional selection ... honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press ... leading vote-getter for the media’s ACC All-Defensive team ... averaged 12.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game ... led Duke in rebounding (8.5), blocked shots (3.00) and free throw attempts (200) and was second in field goal percentage (.586) ... led the ACC in blocked shots (3.00 bpg), was second in offensive rebounds (3.22), third in rebounds (8.5) and fourth in defensive rebounds (5.27) ... averaged an ACC-best 2.56 blocked shots and 3.69 offensive rebounds in league play only ... ranked tied for ninth in the nation in blocked shots (3.0) ... his 111 rejections established a Duke single-season record in that category ... helped Duke rank fourth nationally in blocked shots as a team (6.5) ... posted a team-best 12 double-doubles, a figure that ranked second among all ACC players ... reached double digits in scoring 26 times ... averaged 11.8 points and a team-best 8.6 rebounds in five NCAA Tournament games ... averaged 19.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in the ACC Tournament ... shot .783 from the field (18-of-23) and .733 from the foul line (22-of-30) during Duke’s three ACC Tournament contests ... posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds and blocked five shots against Xavier (3/28) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight ... led Duke with 20 points and career-high 18 rebounds and became Duke’s single-season blocked shots leader with three blocks against Georgia Tech (3/13) ... scored career-high 27 points, including 18 in the second half, against Virginia (3/12) ... recorded 18 points and game-high 11 rebounds, along with two blocked shots and two steals, against Maryland (2/22) ... collected 19 points and a game-high 12 rebounds along with four blocked shots against Virginia (2/11) ... had game-high five blocked shots to go along with 22 points and 12 rebounds against North Carolina (2/5) ... tallied 26 points and five blocked shots against Georgetown (1/24) ... set a season high with eight blocked shots to go along with 16 points and 14 rebounds against Wake Forest (1/17) ... named to the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots in the three games.
As a junior at Duke in 2004-2005,
Shelden Williams was one of the dominant inside forces in college basketball ... second team All-America selection by SI.com and Rivals.com ... third team All-America by Associated Press and Basketball Times ... named the 2005 NABC National Defensive Player of the Year ... the 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year ... named first team All-ACC, first team ACC All-Tournament and ACC All-Defensive Team ... named All-District III by USBWA and All-District V by the NABC ... was a finalist for the Wooden and Naismith Awards for National Player of the Year ... averaged 15.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game ... became the first player under Mike Krzyzewski to average a double-double over the course of a season ... led the ACC in overall rebounding (11.2), offensive rebounding (3.85), defensive rebounding (7.33) and blocked shots (3.7) ... became the first Duke player to lead the ACC in blocked shots in back-to-back seasons since Mike Gminski in 1978 and 1979 ... his 122 blocks were the most in Duke history and seventh-best in ACC history ... ranked 11th in the ACC in scoring (15.5) and second in field goal percentage (.582) ... ranked seventh in the ACC in minutes per game (33.7) ... averaged 17.3 points, 10.9 boards and 4.0 rejections in ACC only games ... in ACC only games, led the league in field goal percentage (.608) and blocked shots (4.0) ... his 6.0 free throws per game ranked fifth among ACC players ... was Duke’s leading scorer in nine games ... the team’s leading rebounder 31 times ... matched J.J. Redick with a team-best 31 double-figure scoring games ... had six 20-point outings and one 30-point contest ... grabbed 10 or more rebounds 22 times ... also led the team with 30 dunks and 17 three-point plays ... scored a team-high 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and added one assist, two blocked shots and three steals versus Michigan State (3/25) ...recorded his 20th double-double of the year with 13 points and 15 rebounds against Mississippi State (3/20) ... blocked three shots and had a steal while holding 2004 All-America Lawrence Roberts to 5-of-18 shooting from the field ... went 3-of-4 from the field and 8-of-14 from the foul line to score 14 points in a win over Delaware State (3/18) ... also had 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal versus the Hornets ... played 37 minutes, scoring 16 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking six shots against Georgia Tech (3/13) ... went 7-of-11 from the field and finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in a ACC Tournament semifinal win over N.C. State (3/12) ... had 10 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots versus Virginia (3/11) ... went 10-of-13 from the field and scored 22 points versus North Carolina (3/6) ... also collected four rebounds, six blocked shots and four steals against the Tar Heels ... had 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots in a win over Miami (3/3) ... finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot and two steals versus St. John’s (2/26) ... recorded his 15th double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Georgia Tech (2/23) ... also had four blocked shots and a steal versus the Yellow Jackets ... had 12 points, nine rebounds, a career-high four assists, four blocked shots and a steal in a win over Wake Forest (2/20) ... went 8-of-10 from the floor and 7-of-9 from the free throw line in a 23-point effort versus Maryland (2/12) ... also had a game-high 16 rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots against the Terrapins ... had 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, five blocked shots and a career-high five steals versus North Carolina (2/9) ... scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked six shots in a win over Georgia Tech (2/5) ... recorded his fourth straight double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds against Wake Forest (2/2) ... went 6-of-10 from the field with two assists, four blocked shots and two steals versus the Demon Deacons ... went 9-of-13 from the field and 7-of-13 from the free throw line to score 25 points against Virginia Tech (1/30) ... also had a season-high 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win over the Hokies ... recorded 18 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots versus Maryland (1/26) ... registered 11 points, 13 rebounds, one blocked shot and three steals against Florida State (1/22) ... scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 from the free throw line versus Miami (1/19) ... also had seven rebounds and a blocked shot in the win over the Hurricanes ... just missed Duke’s first triple-double since the 1978-79 season, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high nine blocked shots against Virginia (1/16) ... went 7-of-11 from the field and added two assists versus the Cavaliers ... scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 shooting from the free throw line in a win over N.C. State (1/13) ... also had six rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals versus the Wolfpack ... recorded 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots in 38 minutes against Temple (1/8) ... had seven points, 14 rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal versus Princeton (1/5) ... scored 13 points and grabbed 16 rebounds against Clemson (1/2) ... also had three blocked shots and four steals versus the Tigers ... registered his third straight double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds against Oklahoma (12/18) ... was 6-of-9 from the floor and added three blocked shots in the win over the Sooners ... went 7-of-11 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the free throw line in a 23-point effort versus Illinois-Chicago (12/14) ... also had 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots in the win over the Flames ... recorded a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds against Toledo (12/12) ... shot 8-of-12 from the field and blocked six shots versus the Rockets ... went 7-of-9 from the field in a 16-point effort against Valparaiso (12/4) ... also had seven rebounds and two blocked shots in the win over the Crusaders ... played 36 minutes, recording 10 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and two steals versus Michigan State (11/30) ... registered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds against UNC Greensboro (11/27) ... also had two assists and two blocked shots in the win over the Spartans ... scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field versus Davidson (11/22) ... also had six rebounds, two blocked shots, an assist and a steal in the win over the Wildcats ... recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds, against Tennessee-Martin (11/20).
“according to Shelden Williams biography on goduke.com”
Stephen Wiseman is a sportswriter who covers, writes about Duke for the News &Observer!