Duke Basketball epic collapse

The Fall of a Giant: Duke’s Epic Collapse in the Final Four

April 6, 2025

In a spectacular display of basketball madness, the Duke Blue Devils, poised for what seemed like an inevitable march to their sixth NCAA title, witnessed the unthinkable unfold before their eyes last night. With just 35 seconds remaining and a six-point cushion, Duke appeared ready to secure their spot in the championship game. But in an electrifying twist that left fans gasping, Houston roared back from the brink, orchestrating an unforgettable comeback that concluded with a jaw-dropping score of Houston 70, Duke 67. This was not just a game; it was one of the most astonishing collapses in Final Four history!

#### The Stage Was Set

As the teams took to the court, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Duke, led by the prodigious freshman Cooper Flagg—who has been painting headlines as the best player in college basketball—was riding a wave of momentum. Flagg dazzled with a stellar performance, racking up 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. For a while, it seemed like Duke’s victory was just a formality, as they surged to a whopping 14-point lead with just under nine minutes left to play. Fans were almost ready to lock in their tickets for the championship matchup against Florida, eagerly dreaming of glory.

But the Houston Cougars weren’t about to roll over. Armed with the nation’s top defense and an unwavering determination under the brilliant coaching of Kelvin Sampson, they clawed back into the game, slowly chipping away at Duke’s seemingly insurmountable lead. By the time the clock ticked under a minute, the score had tightened to just six points—still in Duke’s favor, yet riddled with tension.

#### The Collapse Unfolds

What happened next was pure chaos in a high-stakes arena. With only 35 seconds left, Duke’s Sion James suffered a catastrophic turnover on an inbound pass—an unforgivable blunder at this level. Houston seized the opportunity, slicing the lead to three with a swift layup. The pressure mounted when Duke’s Tyrese Proctor stepped to the free-throw line for a crucial one-and-one, a moment teeming with potential to ice the game. But fate took a cruel turn as he missed the front end. In a chaotic scramble for the ball that followed, Flagg was called for an over-the-back foul—an infuriating call that will undoubtedly ignite debates for years to come. Houston’s J’Wan Roberts, who had been struggling from the line, calmly sank both free throws, flipping the momentum and the score to 68-67 in favor of the Cougars.

Duke still had a glimmer of hope. Coach Jon Scheyer called a timeout to devise a final play for Flagg—the hero everyone believed would save the day. The freshman received the ball in the paint, squared off against Roberts, and rose for what promised to be the game-winning 12-foot jumper. It was the perfect shot… until it ricocheted off the rim. Houston’s LJ Cryer sealed the game with two more free throws, and Proctor's desperate heave at the buzzer was no more than a whisper in the growing void. Game over. Season over.

How Did This Happen?

Duke’s disaster wasn’t merely a mishap; it was a confluence of missteps and the relentless Houston onslaught. Astonishingly, the Blue Devils didn’t make a single field goal in the final 10:30 of the game—a dazing statistic given the stakes. Houston’s strategic shift to have Roberts guard Flagg in isolation dismantled Duke’s passing game, forcing the talented freshman into increasingly difficult shots. Meanwhile, Duke's supporting players stumbled: Proctor’s missed free throw and James’s crucial turnover became daggers, while center Khaman Maluach finished with zero rebounds in 21 minutes, leaving Duke vulnerable when it mattered most.

But let’s give Houston their due—they executed a breathtaking 9-0 run in the final 33 seconds, showcasing their defensive grit and clutch performances. Sampson’s halftime gamble to switch defensive assignments paid off spectacularly, transforming Duke’s confidence into sheer panic.

The Aftermath

In the echoing silence of the Duke locker room, disappointment hung heavily in the air. Players shuffled to grab pizza from a stack of boxes, yet there was no joy in celebration. Flagg, the competitor at heart, stood firm by his final shot: “It’s a shot I’m willing to live within the scenario.” Scheyer reflected on the heartbreak, searching for answers: “I’m heartbroken for our team that did everything for 38 minutes or 39 minutes, and came up short.”

For Duke fans, this sting cuts especially deep. This wasn’t just another game; it was a pivotal moment to herald a new era under Scheyer and demonstrate that the Blue Devils could rise to greatness again post-Krzyzewski. Instead, it’s a collapse that will echo through the corridors of college basketball—a haunting “what if” etched forever in March Madness lore.

On the other side, Houston advances to face Florida, now just one victory away from their first-ever NCAA title. Their remarkable comeback stands as a testament to their unwavering spirit. For Duke, it’s a bitter reminder of dreams dashed—an epic collapse that transformed a season of hope into an agonizing nightmare in mere moments.

So, what do you think—did Duke choke, or did Houston simply refuse to back down?