Houston Stuns Duke in Final Four Comeback That Was a Year in the Making
Wow, what a game. If you watched that Houston vs. Duke showdown in the Final Four, you're probably still catching your breath — I know I am. That 70-67 win by Houston wasn’t just a buzzer-beater classic; it was a masterclass in grit, patience, and long-term preparation paying off in the biggest of moments.
Let’s rewind a bit. Houston came into this game carrying the sting of last year’s loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 — a game where free throws haunted them, especially for veteran J’Wan Roberts. Since that night, Roberts has made it his mission to never let that moment define him. Every day, 150 made free throws. Not just taken — made. That kind of discipline doesn’t just build stats; it builds character. And it showed.
The Cougars didn’t have the cleanest start. In fact, Duke jumped out ahead, led by none other than Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old phenom and National Player of the Year. He looked unstoppable early, putting up 27 points along with contributions in every stat line — rebounds, assists, blocks, steals — you name it. But Houston didn’t panic. They chipped away at the lead, stayed composed, and leaned into their identity.
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L.J. Cryer was absolutely crucial. His 26 points kept Houston from falling too far behind when things looked bleak. With Duke up by 14 in the second half, it could have easily spiraled. But Cryer hit big shot after big shot, and then Emanuel Sharp came alive too, dropping 12 points in the second half. The Cougars suddenly looked like a team possessed.
And then, it was all hustle. They owned the glass — 18 offensive rebounds turned into 19 second-chance points. They frustrated Duke. They wore them down. Sampson eventually put Roberts on Flagg in the final minutes. Not because Roberts was more athletic, but because he had something Flagg didn’t: experience, and maybe a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas.
Flagg still got his, but the rest of Duke didn’t. In the final 10.5 minutes, Duke made one — one — field goal. That’s how lockdown Houston’s defense became. They never let up. Even when Joseph Tugler picked up a rare technical foul late in the game, Sampson didn’t pull him. Why? Because the mistake came from effort, not ego. That’s the culture he’s built in Houston.
It was slow, then it was sudden. A game that looked lost turned into one of the greatest comebacks in Final Four history. Fifth largest ever, in fact. And it didn’t happen by luck or by chance. It happened because Houston prepared for this moment for a year straight — in empty gyms, through sweat-soaked practices, and by making 150 free throws a day when no one was watching.
Now, they're off to the national championship to face Florida. But no matter what happens Monday night, that win over Duke will go down as one of the gutsiest, most emotional victories we've seen in March Madness history.
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