The Duke Blue Devils are back in the Final Four for the 18th time, and the stage is set for another chapter in their storied program history. As the No. 1 seed from the East Region, Duke has battled through a grueling March Madness bracket and now finds itself just two wins away from a national championship. So what's next?
A showdown with fellow No. 1 seed Houston Cougars, that’s what! And it’s happening on Saturday, April 5, at 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
With legendary expectations and elite talent, Duke is poised for a thrilling finish to the 2025 March Madness tournament.
As a perennial powerhouse, the Blue Devils were expected to make a deep run, but the tournament has tested them every step of the way. Here’s how they punched their ticket to San Antonio:
Now, the Blue Devils are on the cusp of a national championship appearance. But first, they need to face (and take down!) a relentlessly physical and tough Houston squad.
Duke is built to win. They have the best player in college basketball, Cooper Flagg, a deep talented roster, and the coaching needed to thrive in the high-pressure environment of the Final Four. Let’s break down their biggest strengths:
For the Blue Devils, it all starts on defense. Duke’s defensive intensity has been the backbone of their success this season. Their ability to switch seamlessly, contest shots, and lock down the perimeter has stifled opposing offenses. Against another defensively sound Houston team, Duke’s defense will need to be at its best to control the tempo and limit easy baskets.
Unlike some teams that rely on a single superstar, Duke boasts multiple offensive weapons who can take over at any moment. Their ability to score in transition, knock down threes, and attack the paint makes them incredibly difficult to guard.
Duke is no stranger to the Final Four stage, having competed in numerous national championships. Their ability to stay composed in crunch time has been evident throughout the tournament. With experienced leaders on the floor, they have the mental toughness to close out tight games.
While Duke has the tools to win it all, Houston presents unique challenges that could pose problems for the Blue Devils. Here are the biggest concerns heading into the matchup:
Houston is one of the most physical teams in the nation, known for crashing the boards, playing tough defense, and making every possession a battle. Duke must match their intensity and avoid getting outmuscled in the paint.
Duke has had stretches where they struggle with turnovers, and Houston’s aggressive defense thrives on forcing mistakes. If Duke can’t take care of the ball, they’ll give Houston easy scoring opportunities in transition.
Houston applies relentless full-court pressure, disrupting opponents’ offensive flow. Duke’s ball handlers must stay composed and avoid falling into scoring droughts.
This is a classic battle of elite talent vs. relentless toughness. Duke will look to play at their pace, move the ball, and use their balanced attack, while Houston will aim to disrupt their rhythm and turn the game into a defensive war.
Duke is two wins away from a national title, but the road won’t be easy. If they can get past Houston, they’ll face either Auburn or Florida in the championship game. With their depth, defensive ability, and offensive firepower, the Blue Devils have everything needed to cut down the nets in San Antonio.
The last time all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four was in 2008, and this year’s college basketball group is proving why they deserved their top seeds. Now, it’s up to Duke to take advantage of this opportunity and add another championship banner to their legacy.
Will the Blue Devils rise to the occasion? We’ll find out on Saturday.
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