Duke vs. Alabama. Two offensive powerhouses clashing on the biggest stage. Alabama, the fastest-paced team in the country, had been running opponents out of the gym all season. And entering the showdown, they were the only team averaging more than 90 points per game. But Duke had a plan—to slow the tide down with their signature switch-everything defense. And it worked. The game was intense. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. But somehow, the loudest moment of the night didn’t come from the court. It came from the stands.

As the game reached its boiling point, one moment caught fire on social media—Kelly Flagg—Cooper Flagg’s mother, former NCAA star, and lifelong competitor—made her presence known. Four words, sharp and loaded with meaning: “Chew the height gummies!”

The jab was quick, cutting, and impossible to ignore. Was it aimed at Alabama’s undersized lineup struggling against Duke’s overwhelming length? Or was it frustration with the officiating? Either way, Kelly made sure her voice was heard loud and clear. And for those who know her, it wasn’t surprising in the slightest.

Why? Kelly Flagg isn’t just any other player’s mom sitting courtside. She’s lived March Madness herself. She’s been in the battles, has felt the pressure, and knows what it takes to win on this stage.

And that love for the game hasn’t faded one bit. “It’s funny. I know some moms this year have been like, ‘What? Oh, I haven’t booked a flight yet.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s so expensive.’ I’m like, ‘You should have done it like me, three months ago,’” Kelly once shared with swmp.com. Just like she meticulously plans her flights, the Flagg family follows their own set of basketball superstitions—specific courtside seats, the right pre-game routines, even the brands they wear. Because for Kelly, this isn’t just about watching her son win. It’s about reliving a part of herself.

And honestly, why not? Before she was known as Cooper Flagg’s mother, Kelly Bowman Flagg was a force on her own. Her basketball journey started at just seven years old, guided by her father, Dan Bowman.

“She’s a very well-rounded player who does everything well. She also has a tremendous desire to succeed and is very coachable. I wish I had a dozen Kelly Bowmans,” her former high school coach, Charlie Wing, said in a 1994 interview.

That drive carried her to the University of Maine, where she wasn’t just a player—she was a leader. By her senior year, she was the team captain, and in 1999, she helped lead Maine to an unforgettable victory over Stanford, one of the most historic moments in the program’s history.

Even after college, Kelly couldn’t stay away from the game. She returned to Nokomis High School as the girls’ varsity coach, passing on her knowledge and passion to the next generation. Now, every time she watches Cooper play, it’s not just about being a supportive mom—it’s about reliving her own journey.

And tonight? The energy was electric. The competition was fierce. And whether it was the action on the court or the fire from the stands, one thing was clear—Kelly Flagg still knows how to make an impact.

Duke gives Alabama a taste of their own medicine to punch tickets to the final four. 

Alabama entered this game as the fastest team in the country, according to KenPom, overwhelming opponents with a relentless tempo and firing off over 64 shots per game. But against Duke? That speed met a wall.

While the Crimson Tide managed 35 shot attempts in the first half, most of them weren’t quality looks. The shots that fell so easily in the Sweet 16—when Alabama broke the NCAA Tournament record with 25 three-pointers against BYU—weren’t dropping this time. Instead, it was Duke that struck first from deep, with Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel hitting back-to-back threes to set the tone.

The Blue Devils quickly built a 35-22 lead, threatening to run away with the game before Alabama responded to cut the deficit to 46-37 at halftime. But that was as close as the Tide would get.

Alabama briefly pulled within seven points at 65-58, but Duke slammed the door shut with a dominant 13-0 run, stretching the lead to 78-58 and putting an Alabama comeback out of reach. When the final buzzer sounded, it was the Blue Devils who walked away victorious, continuing their dominant march through the NCAA Tournament.

So, what made the difference?

Ironically, it was Alabama’s bread and butter—offense. The Tide struggled mightily against Duke’s elite defense. The Blue Devils, boasting the tallest lineup in the nation by average height, clogged passing lanes, contested every shot, and made life miserable for Alabama’s scorers.

The result? A brutal 35.4% shooting night from the field and an ice-cold 8-of-32 (25%) from beyond the arc. Mark Sears, Alabama’s All-American guard who had torched BYU with 10 three-pointers, found no such rhythm here. In his final college game, Sears finished with just six points and six assists, shooting 2-of-12 from the field and 1-of-5 from deep.

Duke, meanwhile, was a model of efficiency, even with Flagg having a relatively off night. Alabama keyed in on the freshman phenom, holding him to 6-of-16 shooting. But that hardly slowed the Blue Devils down. Enter Kon Knueppel.

The freshman star and projected NBA lottery pick took over the offense, showing his full arsenal. When he wasn’t drilling threes (2-for-4), he was slicing through Alabama’s defense, finishing at the rim or setting up teammates with perfectly timed lobs. Knueppel stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals—proving he’s more than ready for the big stage.

And Flagg? Even when his shot wasn’t falling at his usual rate, he found other ways to dominate. He finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a block, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. One off night from the field wasn’t going to stop him from impacting the game.

This was yet another statement win for Duke in a tournament that’s been full of them. They crushed Mount St. Mary’s by 44 in Round 1. Blew out a strong Baylor squad by 23 in Round 2. And even in their toughest matchup so far, they dropped 100 points on Arizona in the Sweet 16.

Now, the Blue Devils are headed to the Final Four, where they’ll face the winner of No. 1 seed Houston vs. No. 2 seed Tennessee. Both teams boast elite defenses, but the question remains—will either be able to stop the Duke machine? The answer is coming soon.