SAN ANTONIO (AP) — In an electrifying semifinal at the Final Four, Houston's tenacious defense propelled them to a stunning 70-67 victory over the Duke Blue Devils, effectively thwarting Cooper Flagg's hopes of clinching a title for Duke. The game, held on Saturday night, April 5, 2025, showcased Houston's resilience as they overcame a daunting 14-point deficit within the final eight minutes.
Duke struggled offensively down the stretch, managing only one field goal in the last 10 and a half minutes of play. Flagg, who was a critical player for Duke, attempted a step-back jumper that was contested by J'Wan Roberts, marking one of the team's missed opportunities. The final Duke possession concluded with Tyrese Proctor's desperation shot that failed to find the basket as the buzzer sounded.
Roberts' two successful free throws with 19.6 seconds remaining gave Houston its first lead since the early part of the game when they were up 6-5. LJ Cryer, who led Houston with 26 points, added two more free throws to extend the lead to three points, which turned out to be Houston’s largest lead of the game.
Houston's head coach, Kelvin Sampson, encapsulated the spirit of the team as he said, "No one ever loses at anything as long as you don’t quit. If you quit, you’ve lost." This attitude resonated throughout the crowd, especially as it allowed the Cougars (35-4) to overcome the significant deficit and set them up for a championship clash against Florida on Monday night.
The earlier game saw Florida edge out Auburn with a score of 79-73 in a spirited contest, contrasting sharply with the gritty nature of the Houston-Duke matchup. The Cougars thrived in the tense atmosphere, finishing the game with a remarkable 9-0 run in the last 74 seconds, which was pivotal to their success.
Despite Flagg scoring 27 points, he struggled with his shooting, finishing with an 8-for-19 effort. His last effective shot came at the 3:02 mark, providing Duke a nine-point cushion before Houston began its comeback. “We had a feeling that we could still win this game,” Roberts commented, highlighting the team's belief and determination.
Defensively, Houston implemented a strategy that aimed for consecutive stops, labeling the third one as a "kill stop." This commitment to defensive excellence was evident as they allowed only a total of three free throws down the stretch, underlining their aggressive performance. However, a technical foul against Joseph Tugler for a minor infraction did not derail their momentum, as the subsequent defensive stand led to a critical play by Tugler, who blocked a shot, allowing his team to regain control.
With 20 seconds left in the game, Proctor missed a crucial front end of a 1-and-1 free throw opportunity, paving the way for Roberts to seal the game with his late free throws. The atmosphere turned somber for Duke as their team slowly walked off the court, met by a wave of Houston supporters celebrating their unexpected victory. This game is poised to mark a significant moment in history for Houston, as they strive for their first-ever NCAA championship title.
Adding an intriguing twist to the events, the comeback victory was also significant for a representative of artificial intelligence, who had placed a bet against a professional gambler predicting the outcomes of March Madness. This AI program’s bracket, which led to a potential $1 million payout, came down to the Houston-Duke game, highlighting the intersection of technology and sports forecasting.
Houston's defensive prowess, extended winning streak, and strategic gameplay now position them for a championship title against Florida, as they advance towards a historic moment for their program.
