Houston Stuns Duke in Final Four Comeback to Reach NCAA Championship

SAN ANTONIO — In a thrilling Final Four showdown, Houston pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat Duke 70-67, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes. With this stunning victory, the Cougars are now set to face Florida in the NCAA Championship game on Monday night.

It was a game that seemed all but over for Houston when Duke held a commanding lead with just over three minutes left. Duke’s star player, Cooper Flagg, had just hit a crucial 3-pointer to give his team a 9-point advantage. However, the Cougars had other plans. Despite being down by nearly double digits, Houston’s relentless defense and never-say-die attitude turned the game on its head.

Over the final moments of the game, Duke struggled to score, making just one field goal in the last 10 and a half minutes. Flagg’s last attempt, a tough step-back jumper in the lane, was blocked by Houston’s J’Wan Roberts. The Blue Devils’ final possession ended with Tyrese Proctor heaving a desperate shot at the buzzer that missed badly.

It was Roberts who gave the Cougars their first lead since the early stages of the game, sinking two clutch free throws with 19.6 seconds left. LJ Cryer, Houston’s leading scorer with 26 points, added two more free throws to extend the lead to three. This was Houston’s biggest lead of the night, and it was enough to hold off Duke's late attempts.

“No one ever loses at anything as long as you don’t quit," said Houston’s coach, Kelvin Sampson. "If you quit, you’ve lost.” The Cougars, known for their tough defense and resilience, proved their coach’s words true as they clawed their way back into the game.

For Duke, it was a tough pill to swallow. The Blue Devils, who were heavily favored to advance, could not get anything going in the final minutes. Houston’s defense, a hallmark of their season, clamped down and prevented Duke from finding any rhythm. The Blue Devils managed just three free throws during the final stretch, with one of those coming after Joseph Tugler was called for a technical foul. Tugler had swatted away a Duke pass in the previous possession, but the technical didn’t slow down Houston’s momentum.

The Cougars, who are 35-4 this season, capitalized on this opening. After the technical free throws, Tugler rejected a shot attempt by Kon Knueppel, and then Emanuel Sharp knocked down a crucial three-pointer to cut the deficit to just three points. The momentum was clearly shifting toward Houston.

Mylik Wilson came up with a huge steal, and although he missed a potential game-tying three-pointer, Tugler was there to tip the ball in, making it a one-point game. With just 20 seconds left, Duke had the chance to seal the game but Proctor missed the front end of a crucial 1-and-1 free throw, setting the stage for Roberts' game-winning free throws.

Roberts calmly sank both free throws to give Houston the lead. With only a few seconds remaining, Duke had one last chance but could not get a good shot off. The buzzer sounded, and Houston’s bench erupted in celebration.

For Duke, it was a heartbreaking finish. Despite a strong performance from Flagg, who scored 27 points, they could not hold off the Cougars' defense down the stretch. Flagg’s shooting was far from perfect, as he finished 8-for-19 from the field and struggled to find open looks in the closing moments.

Houston’s defensive effort was nothing short of impressive. The Cougars finished the game with six steals and six blocked shots. Tugler, in particular, stood out with four of those blocks, showcasing his shot-blocking ability. Many are now drawing comparisons between him and Houston’s legendary big man, Hakeem Olajuwon, who was present at the Alamodome to witness the Cougars’ first trip to the NCAA Final Four since 1984.

As for Houston, this victory marks a historic moment for the program. Although they’ve never won a national title — not even in the days of their famous Phi Slama Jama teams — they are now just one game away from the championship. It will be a tough battle, with Florida awaiting them after their own 79-73 win over Auburn earlier in the day.

Despite the nail-biting finish, there’s more to this story. The dramatic Houston victory also brought in a big win for artificial intelligence. An AI disruptor, Alan Levy, had bet a professional gambler that his program could create a better March Madness bracket. The wager came down to the Duke-Houston game, and with the Cougars' win, Levy’s AI bracket clinched the victory. Regardless of how the championship game turns out, Levy’s program is already guaranteed a $1 million prize.

As the Cougars prepare to face Florida in the title game, their remarkable defense and never-give-up attitude have made them the team to watch. Houston’s players and fans will be hoping that their championship dream becomes a reality on Monday night.