Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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ReutersDuke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after his team’s loss to the Houston Cougars in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
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SAN ANTONIO — Houston knocked off Duke in front of a crowd of 68,252 at the Alamodome on Saturday, setting itself up for a matchup with Florida in Monday night’s championship game.
L.J Cryer led the Cougars with 26 points in a dramatic upset over Cooper Flagg and the mighty Blue Devils.
Houston overcame a 14 point deficit in the final eight minutes. The final score was 70-67, decided by several defensive stands — earning a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.
The University of Houston will now play for its first ever national title, despite being in the Final Four seven times in its history.
Houston faces a team that has had its own share of comebacks as March Madness turned into April drama.
Earlier in the night, Florida mounted yet another come from behind victory against Auburn.
The Gators’ tough road to San Antonio included dramatic wins after trailing late against UConn in the second round and Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
This time around, they trailed Johni Broome and Auburn by eight points at the half before Walton Clayton Jr., who scored 34 points, led the Gators on a furious run to defeat SEC rival Auburn 79-73.
Clayton is the first player since Larry Bird to record two 30+ point games in the Elite Eight and Final Four.
Bob Donnan-Imagen Images
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ReutersFlorida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) dunks the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
This is the first time the Gators are in the national championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Their coach at the time, Billy Donovan, was in attendance at the Alamodome and was honored for being tapped as a member of the 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class.
Florida and Houston, both No. 1 seeds, have not played since 1973. Florida sports one of the nation’s highest powered offenses while Houston has the nation’s top-rated defense.
Monday’s national title game tips off Monday at 7:50 p.m. CST at the Alamodome between two teams that can never be counted out.
On both sides is an image of a tilted Charles Barkley that makes him appear to flying like Superman. The blimp’s other nicknames include ‘Soar Charles,’ ‘The Up Chuck,’ ‘Air Chuck One’ and ‘The Ugly Chuckling.’
