What Happened to Duke’s Offense in the Final 10 Minutes?
Let’s dive into the mystery of Duke’s offense in those crucial final 10 minutes. The Blue Devils, known for having the most efficient offense in nearly three decades, managed to make only one field goal in the last 10:30 of the game. So, what went wrong?
First and foremost, Houston’s defense deserves a standing ovation. Even when Duke was ahead, their offense wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. They experienced two field goal droughts of over four minutes in the first half. Outside of some sporadic brilliance from Kon Knueppel in the first half and Sion James in the second, the only consistent offensive threat was Cooper Flagg.
Houston’s head coach, Kelvin Sampson, made it clear post-game that they weren’t going to let Flagg be the one to beat them. The Cougars were their usual physical selves, and their full-court press in the final minutes turned the game into a chaotic scene for Duke. It was a mix of Duke’s offensive collapse and Houston’s relentless defense that sealed the deal. — Jeff Borzello
What Was the Most Impressive Part of Houston’s Comeback?
Houston’s offensive surge in the final minutes was nothing short of spectacular. Sure, their defense, ranked No.1 in the nation, turned Duke’s historically efficient offense into a team that couldn’t buy a basket late in the game. But to clinch the win, the Cougars had to pull off an offensive miracle.
With 8:17 left on the clock, Houston had only 45 points. They finished with 70, outscoring Duke 25-8 in the closing stretch. Even with just 1:26 remaining, the Cougars were trailing by seven points. While their defense set the stage for scoring opportunities, Sampson’s squad, ranked 74th in scoring nationally, had to hit a barrage of shots to come out on top. That offensive explosion was the most impressive aspect of their comeback. — Myron Medcalf
What Impressed You Most in Saturday’s Games?
Houston’s comeback was extraordinary, ranking among the top five in Final Four history. But let’s talk about Walter Clayton Jr.‘s performance against Auburn. The Florida guard has been the Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier of this NCAA tournament, delivering jaw-dropping performances with contested shots. Auburn’s coach, Bruce Pearl, tried everything to stop Clayton, including switching big wings Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara on him. They even tried to blitz him off ball screens to prevent clean looks going to his lethal left side. But none of it mattered.
Clayton has been the most electrifying player in the NCAA tournament, the best guard in college basketball, and now he’s making history. — Borzello
Houston’s poise was equally impressive. Clayton’s 34-point effort against Auburn would have been the highlight in most Final Fours. But Houston’s ability to stay composed, despite being down by double digits on the sport’s biggest stage, was remarkable. They were up against a Duke team that had been the national title favorite for weeks, led by just the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award. Yet, the Cougars held their ground while their opponent crumbled.
It’s rare to witness something in the Final Four that feels unprecedented, but Duke’s collapse and Houston’s comeback were both groundbreaking. — Medcalf
This Was the Best Set of Semifinal Games Since…
These semifinal games were the best since 2019, when Texas Tech defeated Michigan State and Virginia edged out Auburn. The latter game ended with a late foul by Auburn and game-winning free throws by Virginia, following a no-call on a double dribble by Virginia’s Ty Jerome.
Michigan State had previously defeated a Duke team featuring Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in the Elite Eight. Although the Spartans lost to the Red Raiders by 10, Aaron Henry’s layup had cut Michigan State’s deficit to one with 2:55 to play. Still, Saturday’s games were two of the greatest in Final Four history. — Medcalf
What Are You Most Excited About in Monday’s Title Game?
Clayton vs. Houston’s defense. I’ve already sung Clayton’s praises for his incredible season and NCAA tournament run, becoming the first player with back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and national semifinals since Larry Bird in 1979. He’s faced every defensive strategy imaginable, and it hasn’t fazed him. But he hasn’t encountered Houston’s defense yet. A Sampson defense is a different beast altogether. Can Clayton handle the Cougars’ physicality? Can he still find consistent scoring opportunities? On the flip side, it will be intriguing to see if Houston introduces any new tactics to slow down the first-team All-American.
Despite Houston’s defensive prowess, they do allow teams to shoot 3-pointers. And that’s a risky proposition against Clayton. — Borzello
I’m most excited to see how two of college basketball’s best storylines conclude. Clayton, an under-recruited prospect from Florida discovered by Rick Pitino at Iona, has blossomed into an All-American at Florida. If he delivers another extraordinary performance on Monday, he’ll become one of the NCAA tournament’s all-time heroes. Meanwhile, Sampson, who will turn 70 later this year, is one of the game’s top coaching veterans. The only thing missing from his résumé is a national title. He’s already a Basketball Hall of Fame candidate, but a national championship would elevate him to a different echelon among his peers. — Medcalf
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello,Myron Medcalf
