Houston stunned Duke in the Final Four, pulling off a shocking comeback that left fans and analysts speechless. Duke, led by freshman star Cooper Flagg and head coach Jon Scheyer, had built a 14-point lead with just eight minutes left in the game. However, Houston’s relentless defense and clutch shooting flipped the script. The turning point came as Duke struggled offensively, managing only a single field goal over the final 10 and a half minutes.
Flagg, who has been a dominant force all season, had a chance to win the game with just eight seconds on the clock. With Duke trailing by one, he backed down Houston’s J’Wan Roberts and took a shot that fell short, bouncing off the front rim. That miss sealed Duke’s fate in a 70-67 loss.
Much of the criticism following the defeat has been aimed at Scheyer for letting such a big lead slip away, and at Flagg for not delivering in the final moments. This game was especially significant for Scheyer, who, with a win, would have become the winningest coach in the first three years of a college basketball head coaching career. He had already tied the record with an 89-21 start and was one victory away from surpassing even legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s early career pace.
If Cooper Flagg chose UConn over Duke he’d be in the championship game 🤷🏽♂️
— Lucky (@L7ckys) April 6, 2025
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 freshman from Maine and Montverde Academy alum, led Duke in every major statistical category this season and had long been seen as the centerpiece of Duke’s championship hopes. However, the team’s offense fell apart late, and the bench contributed only four points. Meanwhile, Houston’s Walter Clayton Jr. put on a shooting clinic, helping the Cougars claw back into the game.
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson praised his team’s resilience, saying he kept reminding them to “just hang in there” even when they were down by 14. His players responded by executing down the stretch while Duke faltered.
After the loss, debate erupted online about whether Flagg had made the right choice by committing to Duke instead of UConn. Many fans argued that had he joined the Huskies, he’d likely be playing in the national championship game instead. Flagg had seriously considered UConn, even taking an official visit there just a month before announcing his Duke commitment in October 2024. Reports suggest he was very impressed with what UConn had to offer.
Now, UConn fans are vocal in expressing that Flagg would have thrived under coach Dan Hurley, especially with UConn’s strong physical style and experienced roster. Some even speculated that with Flagg, UConn could have won three straight national titles. The chatter on social media reflects both disappointment and what-ifs, with fans posting that Flagg may have passed up a better opportunity in Storrs.
Despite Duke’s early exit, Flagg’s individual performance throughout the season solidified his status as a future NBA star. Whether or not he returns for a second year remains unclear, but many assume he’ll head straight to the draft. A championship would have capped his college career perfectly, but for now, Flagg and Duke are left to wonder what could have been.