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The Houston Cougars will face off against the Duke Blue Devils in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the 2025 Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament. Both teams have been dominant throughout the tournament, but they each bring their unique strengths and styles of play to the table. In this preview, we’ll break down each team’s season, key players and what to expect in this exciting Final Four showdown.
The Houston Cougars have been a force to be reckoned with this season, finishing as a No. 1 seed. With an overall record of 34-4, Houston has dominated the Big 12 and shown they can compete at the highest level, earning a reputation for tough defense and balanced offensive play, which has been showcased in the tournament.
At the heart of the Cougars’ success is their elite defense. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has built a team that excels in guarding the perimeter and forcing turnovers. Offensively, Houston is led by guard L.J. Cryer, who has been their offensive spark all season. Cryer can take over games with his scoring, and his ability to create shots both inside and out makes him a matchup nightmare.
In addition to Cryer, the Cougars have a solid supporting cast, including forward J’wan Roberts and guards Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan, who provide versatility on both ends of the floor. Houston’s depth, combined with their relentless defense, make them one of the most well-rounded teams in college basketball.
The Duke Blue Devils have been on a tear since the start of the season, finishing with a 35-3 record and entering the Final Four as a No. 1 seed. Under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke has seamlessly transitioned into a new era of Blue Devils basketball, with a mix of talented underclassmen and experienced upperclassmen.
A major factor in Duke’s success this season has been Cooper Flagg, the highly touted freshman forward who has exceeded expectations in his first season. Flagg has been spectacular, averaging double figures in scoring while providing elite shot-blocking and rebounding. His versatility as a defender and offensive weapon makes him one of the most dynamic players in the country.
Joining Flagg in the spotlight is Kon Knueppel, Duke’s talented guard, who has been a scoring machine for the Blue Devils this season. Knueppel’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting combined with his toughness and leadership has been critical to Duke’s run in the tournament. The duo of Flagg and Knueppel gives Duke a potent offensive and defensive pairing that has the potential to carry them to the national championship.
Duke also has a strong supporting cast, including Tyrese Proctor, who has been an excellent playmaker and facilitator for the Blue Devils. His ability to run the offense and create opportunities for his teammates has been key to Duke’s success. While also having Sion James, who is a 41.7% three-point shooter. This Duke team is scary good.
This Final Four matchup between Houston and Duke will be a battle of strength versus skill. Houston will use its smothering defense to slow down Duke’s high-powered offense, while Duke will aim to use their athleticism and versatile players like Flagg and Knueppel to break down the Cougars’ defense.
For Houston, the key will be shutting down Duke’s dynamic scorers. They will increase their chances of winning if they can contain Flagg’s ability to score and defend and force Duke to rely on their supporting players. Houston’s offense, led by Cryer and Roberts, must be efficient and capitalize on any transition opportunities.
For Duke, it will be about getting Flagg and Knueppel involved early. They will need to play to their strengths by attacking the rim, spacing the floor and getting in transition. If they can get Houston into foul trouble or out of their defensive rhythm, they’ll have a shot at advancing to the national championship game.
Ultimately, the key player for Duke in this game will be Cooper Flagg. His ability to dominate both ends of the floor with his scoring, rebounding and ability to defend will be crucial. If he can continue his stellar play and find ways to impact the game early, Duke will have a strong chance of knocking off the defensive-minded Cougars. That is why we believe Duke will ultimately win this game, and Cooper Flagg will be our pick to score at least 20 points.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.