In a thrilling showdown during the penultimate game of this year's NCAA Tournament, the Houston Cougars delivered a stunning comeback to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 70-67 in the Final Four. Trailing by 14 points in the second half, Houston orchestrated an incredible 25-8 run that not only stunned the Blue Devils but also marked one of the largest comebacks in Final Four history. This remarkable victory secured Houston’s spot in the national championship game for the third time ever, their first since 1984.
The game witnessed a breathtaking climax as Houston finished with a 9-0 run over the last 33 seconds. Houston's head coach, Kelvin Sampson, shared his thoughts on the comeback, stating, "No one ever loses in anything, as long as you don't quit." He emphasized the importance of applying pressure in critical moments, leading to their astonishing victory.
Despite trailing by 14 points with just 8:03 left in the game, Sampson remained optimistic. "It's not like we were down 20," he added, highlighting their resilience. According to Evan Miyakawa, a college basketball analytics expert, Duke had a staggering 98.5% win probability with 8:17 remaining in the game. However, Houston quickly turned the tide with a 10-0 run that brought them back into contention.
During the final 10:30 of the second half, Duke struggled to find their rhythm, managing only one field goal while Houston executed a commanding 25-9 run. Houston capitalized on their opportunities, taking 19 shot attempts compared to Duke's nine, aided by six offensive rebounds and five turnovers from Duke. Houston forward J'Wan Roberts noted, "Basketball is a game of runs," reflecting the team's determination as they fought back to seize control of the game.
While Houston celebrated their victory, it was a painful reminder for Duke, whose history includes previous stumbles in critical moments. Coach Jon Scheyer expressed his disappointment, stating, "It’s still hard to process." He acknowledged that his team performed admirably but fell short in crucial moments. "We had the lead with a minute to go... the best team tonight was Houston," he concluded, paying tribute to their opponents.
With this remarkable comeback, Houston now prepares to face the Florida Gators in the national championship game. Florida has also demonstrated a penchant for comebacks throughout this postseason, setting the stage for an exciting finale to March Madness. As the Cougars aim for their first title since 1984, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable championship clash.
