Jeff BorzelloApr 6, 2025, 12:02 AM ET
Close Basketball recruiting insider. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Open Extended Reactions
SAN ANTONIO — Saturday’s Final Four matchup between Duke and Houston seemed like another stop on the Blue Devils’ march to a national championship, just another prelude to the looming Cooper Flagg and Duke coronation.
After Tyrese Proctor‘s free throw put Duke up by 14 points with 8:17 left in the second half, the inevitable seemed closer than ever. That was cemented when Flagg buried a 3 to extend the Blue Devils’ lead to nine with three minutes remaining.
Except Houston’s culture doesn’t allow concessions.
“It ain’t over because they still got time on the clock,” Cougars guard L.J. Cryer said after the game.
Houston went on a 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds to win 70-67, shocking Duke and the Alamodome crowd to advance to Monday’s national championship game against Florida.
Cryer led the way with 26 points and six 3-pointers, while Flagg had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in what will likely be his final college game. The Cougars, who advanced to the title game in 1983 and 1984, can