Houston basketball will be tasked with figuring out how to stop the Duke forward from carrying the Blue Devils to the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament national championship game. The Cougars had one of the best defenses during the regular season, but Flagg represents a different challenge.
Flagg has averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 44.8% shooting from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range to go along with 1.8 blocks per game. Flagg had 16 points in the Elite Eight victory over Alabama last Saturday.
The Cougars have held three of their four opponents under 60 points during the postseason run. They have close wins over Gonzaga and Purdue, but blowout wins over SIU Edwardsville and Tennessee. Houston beat the Vols 69-50 in a dominant defensive performance last Sunday.
Duke beat Houston 54-51 in the first-ever meeting between the programs last year in the Sweet 16 on March 29 in Dallas.
Here’s how experts see the Final Four battle between Duke and Houston playing out, along with odds and how to watch:
Florida vs Auburn picks and predictions
USA TODAY picks:
- Jordan Mendoza: Duke’s amazing offense faces its biggest challenge yet. The Blue Devils should be able to put up some points against Houston, but the surprise will be the Cougars keep up. Houston’s defense toughens up in the final minutes for the win. Houston 63, Duke 61.
- Paul Myerberg: Houston will make Duke earn it on the offensive end, unlike Arizona and Alabama in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. The Cougars could slow things down enough to negate the Blue Devils’ advantages in size and shooting. But Duke is too good and playing too well to be stopped now. Houston will keep the scoring down but won’t have enough to pull out a minor upset. Duke 71, Houston 58.
- Erick Smith: Another matchup where the experience factor is important. That edge goes to Houston on the court and with Kelvin Sampson on the bench. Duke has the more dynamic players, including the best one at the Final Four. Can Cooper Flagg produce the biggest shots on the biggest stage? We will bet on him. Duke 70, Houston 66.
- Eddie Timanus: I’m hopeful that this isn’t the rock fight some are predicting. The potential is there for this to be a higher scoring game than the stats might suggest, and if that does indeed turn out to be the case I think that favors the Blue Devils. Duke 84, Houston 75.
- Blake Toppmeyer: Nobody defends better than Houston, and the Cougars go five-deep with players who can score in double figures. Their experience will shine at this stage of the tournament. Houston 75, Duke 71.
Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer: Duke 69, Houston 65:
‘The Cougars have the talent, experience and toughness to beat the Blue Devils and cut down the nets on the following Monday in Texas. But they don’t have Cooper Flagg, who will be the star among stars in the Lone Star State. Duke wins a close one to clinch its spot in the national championship game.’
Duke vs Houston date, start time, where to watch
- Game Day: Saturday, April 5
- Game Time: 8:49 p.m. ET
- Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)
Watch Duke vs Houston on Fubo (free trial)
Duke vs Houston odds
Odds as of Saturday, April 5 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Duke (-4.5)
- Over/under: 136.5
- Moneyline: Duke (-275) | Auburn (+225)