DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Fans prepared to send off the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team Wednesday morning ahead of their big dance in San Antonio.
Duke will face the Houston Cougars in one of the two Final Four matchups Saturday night, a game that sets up the National Championship and could bring the beloved trophy home to Durham.
This is the first time since 1979 that all four No. 1s have made it to the final weekend.
The Send-Off
With the hopes of a sixth national championship win, Duke fans line up to cheer on their team as they hit the road to the Final Four.
“We’ve been going this whole season to the games. We’re super fans and we’re really cheering for these guys,” said Regina Garcia. She is a newer Blue Devils fan but her enthusiasm would have you believe otherwise.
“I brought my basketball. And it’s a Jon Scheyer basketball so we’re hoping to get it signed,” Garcia said.
Starting with coach Scheyer, fans yelled out as the team loaded onto their bus. Players like Stanley Broden taking a moment to greet cheering fans.
“There’s nothing better than Duke basketball in April, which means we’re in the Final Four,” said 2016 Duke graduate Matthew O’Connell.
He got to see their 2015 Final Four appearance in Indianapolis. Like the other fans, O’Connell believes this team is special.
“This one just has taken it up a notch with that connectivity on the defensive side. And they say defense wins championships,” he said.
Being among passionate fans and supporting the team as they move through the championship, is a family affair for the Evans.
“My dad always, when I was growing up, he took me to games and so now I’m doing the same thing for him,” said Josh Evans who attended the sendoff with his father and son.
The season memorable has been a memorable one for his son, Cameron.
“With them making those threes and that Cooper Flagg dunking on people,” the boy said.
As the team hit the road, leaving Duke University’s campus and their fans behind Wednesday morning, they know thousands will be watching from home. Fans have their hopes high in the sky, with their sights set on a national championship.
“We’re going to raise the Flagg in San Antonio. That’s the plan,” said Randy and Josh Evans.
The Match-Up
In their previous games, both Duke and Houston had sizeable victories over their opponents, with Duke spanking Alabama by 20 points on Saturday in the Elite Eight. Cooper Flagg led a 13-0 run against the Crimson Tide leading to that win, and also helped hold Bama’s star player Mark Sears to just 6 points.
Defense is poised to be the name of the game between both programs, where both Houston and Duke rank highly among KenPom stats. Houston takes first place in defensive efficiency, while Duke ranks fourth.
Houston took down the Tennessee Volunteers in their Elite Eight matchup Sunday, 69-50. The Cougars’s defense held the Volunteers to just 15 points in the first half.
The Duke-Houston looks to be an exciting matchup where defense may be key in a win and a trip to the National Championship. Until then, the Duke Blue Devils take flight Wednesday from RDU to the SAT in San Antonio, Texas.