NEWARK, N.J. — Duke received a test in the Sweet 16 and survived it, scoring 100 points to stave off Arizona. Now, the SEC awaits.
Alabama reached the Final Four a year ago and entered this season ranked No. 2 in the nation, but the Crimson Tide are underdogs against a Duke team that has lost just once since Thanksgiving. Cooper Flagg once again looked unstoppable against Arizona, and the shots continue to fall for his teammates. For Alabama, the mission may not be slowing down Duke’s offense, but rather keeping up with it.
The Tide stumbled at times down the stretch against a gauntlet of an SEC schedule, but they scored 113 points on a tournament-record 25 3-pounters in a Sweet 16 win over BYU. Nate Oats’ team might not need to repeat that performance to knock off Duke, but the regression can’t be too steep.
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Both Oats and Jon Scheyer were separately in this position last year, sitting just one win from the Final Four. Alabama advanced past Clemson, while Duke fell to 11-seed NC State. One year later, both teams believe they are even better — but only one can punch a ticket to San Antonio.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Saturday’s Elite Eight game between Duke and Alabama. Follow for complete results from Newark.
STREAM: Watch Duke vs. Alabama live with Sling TV
Duke vs. Alabama live score
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Duke vs. Alabama highlights from 2025 March Madness Elite Eight
(All times Eastern)
8:51 p.m. — Fewer Alabama fans than Duke fans, but one Alabama fan is shirtless with a giant “A” painted across his chest. You have to respect it, especially in enemy territory.
8:45 p.m. — The national anthem has been performed, and both teams are now headed back to the locker rooms with nine minutes until introductions.
8:41 p.m. — It wouldn’t be fair to call this a full arena yet, but there is much more blue than red so far.
8:36 p.m. — Duke is back on the floor as tip-off nears. Tip-off is now listed as 8:59 p.m. ET.
8:28 p.m. — Both teams have gone back to the locker room, and all eyes are on what looks like a Florida comeback win over Texas Tech. This is the other side of the bracket, so tonight’s winner will not face the Gators.
8:19 p.m. — The Prudential Center crowd is already loud, but not for Duke: Florida just stormed back to tie its Elite Eight matchup with Texas Tech at 75.
7:50 p.m. — The question tonight: Alabama won’t hit 25 threes, but can the Tide at least match their regular season production? Duke’s defense can be stifling, but it had some leaks against Arizona.
Alabama might not need 25 threes tonight, but they’ll need a lot of them. Mark Sears and co. getting warmed up. pic.twitter.com/qwjai5p7hX
— Dan Treacy (@DanTreacyASN) March 29, 2025
7:15 p.m. — Duke has been stellar wire-to-wire this season, but the questions remains: can a team with three freshman starters, regardless of how good they are, win a national championship? Alabama is leaning on experience between Mark Sears and Grant Nelson.
7:05 p.m. — Sporting News is live from the Prudential Center in Newark with live coverage from tonight’s Elite Eight matchup. An empty arena will soon be loud with what is expected to be a heavily pro-Duke crowd.
Duke vs. Alabama start time
- Date: Saturday, March 29
- Tipoff: 8:49 p.m. ET
Saturday’s Elite Eight game between Duke and Alabama will tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 29 from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
What channel is Duke vs. Alabama on today?
- TV channel: TBS, truTV
- Live stream: Max, Sling TV
Duke vs. Alabama will be broadcast nationally on TBS and truTV. Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Jim Jackson (color analyst) will be on the call, with Allie LaForce serving as the sideline reporter.
Viewers can also live-stream the Elite Eight matchup with Max or on Sling TV.
NCAA Tournament schedule 2025
Elite Eight
Saturday, March 29
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas Tech | 6:09 p.m. | TBS, truTV |
| No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Alabama | 8:49 p.m. | TBS, truTV |
Sunday, March 30
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 4:55 p.m. | CBS |
National championship
Monday, April 7
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:50 p.m. | CBS |
