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 off, let’s give credit where it’s due: Houston’s defense is still top-notch. 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, Cooper Flagg was their only consistent offensive weapon.
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 threw Duke into a state of chaos. It was a mix of Duke’s offensive collapse and Houston’s desperate, yet effective, defense. — 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 America, turned Duke’s historically efficient offense into a team that couldn’t buy a basket late in the game. But to seal the win, Houston 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 to play, they were still trailing by seven points. While their defense set the stage, Sampson’s squad, ranked 74th in scoring nationally, had to hit a barrage of shots to clinch the victory. That offensive explosion was the most impressive aspect of their comeback. — Myron Medcalf
What Impressed You Most Between Both Games?
Houston’s comeback was extraordinary, ranking among the five biggest 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, making jaw-dropping contested shots.
Bruce Pearl tried everything to stop Clayton, including switching big wings Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara on him. They blitzed him off ball screens to prevent clean looks going left, where he’s lethal. But Clayton was unfazed, making 6-of-12 contested shots. He’s the most electric player in the NCAA tournament and the best guard in college basketball. His 34 points are the most by a player in a Final Four win since 1981, according to ESPN Research. — 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 favored to win the national title, led by just the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award. Yet, the Cougars held their ground while Duke crumbled.
It’s rare for something to happen in the Final Four that feels unprecedented. But Duke’s collapse and Houston’s comeback were both firsts. — Medcalf
This Was the Best Set of Semifinal Games Since…
This is the best pair of semifinal games since 2019, when Texas Tech beat Michigan State and Virginia beat Auburn. The latter game ended on 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 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 waxed poetic about Clayton’s brilliance throughout the season and NCAA tournament. He’s on a historic run to the title game, being 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, but Houston’s defense is a different beast. Can he handle the Cougars’ physicality and still find consistent looks? On the flip side, will Houston introduce 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 move against Clayton. — Borzello
I’m most excited to see how two of college basketball’s best storylines conclude.
Clayton was an under-recruited prospect from Florida, discovered and signed by Rick Pitino at Iona. He’s evolved into an All-American at Florida, and another extraordinary performance on Monday could cement his status as one of the NCAA tournament’s all-time heroes. Meanwhile, Sampson, who turns 70 later this year, is a coaching veteran with a Hall of Fame-worthy career. A national title would elevate him to a new echelon among his peers. — Medcalf
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello,Myron Medcalf
