Duke was on the brink of another shot at a national championship, leading by double digits in the second half of their Final Four matchup. With an impressive season behind them, the Blue Devils seemed poised to secure a spot in the title game. But what unfolded next became one of the most painful chapters in college basketball history.
Up by 14 with just over eight minutes left, Duke’s grip on victory slipped away as Houston mounted an incredible comeback. The Cougars’ relentless defense and clutch performances turned the tide. Missed shots, defensive lapses, and critical mistakes plagued the Blue Devils. Even their star, Cooper Flagg—named the national player of the year—couldn’t salvage the game with a contested late shot that ultimately fell short.
In the final 33 seconds, Houston delivered a stunning finish, scoring the game’s last nine points to secure a 70-67 victory.
“This is heartbreaking and incredibly disappointing,” said Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer, who was leading his first Final Four after succeeding the legendary Mike Krzyzewski. “This is what the tournament is all about—moments like these.”
The loss was as abrupt as it was shocking, leaving the Alamodome filled with a mix of disbelief and jubilation. The Blue Devils’ quest for a sixth national title ended in a flash, leaving their season and dreams shattered.
Flagg, despite his 27-point performance, fought back tears as he reflected on the season. “It’s been an incredible year with amazing people and relationships I’ll cherish forever. It didn’t end the way we wanted, but it was still an unforgettable season.”
Duke (35-4) went from commanding control to scrambling for a last-second shot. After LJ Cryer’s free throws put Houston ahead with 3.7 seconds remaining, Duke’s final play was a desperate heave from Sion James. The ball bounced off the rim and missed everything as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Cougars’ remarkable comeback.
Flagg walked off the court with his head down, his teammates following in stunned silence. Freshman Khaman Maluach was visibly shaken, tears streaming down his face. Their path back to the locker room forced them through a sea of celebrating Houston fans, adding to the sting of the defeat.
Duke’s mistakes were costly. Proctor missed a crucial front-end free throw with the team up by just one, and Flagg fouled J’Wan Roberts during a critical rebound. Roberts calmly sank both free throws with 19.6 seconds left to give Houston a 68-67 lead.
In the final moments, Flagg had a chance to reclaim the lead but his fading shot fell short. The Cougars capitalized on every mistake, including a key 3-pointer by Emanuel Sharp and a turnover caused by Houston’s full-court press.
Scheyer reflected on what went wrong. “I’m thinking about what I could’ve done differently as a coach. That’s what hurts the most.”
The loss will linger, a reminder of how quickly triumph can turn to heartbreak in the NCAA tournament.
