Sixty-six March Madness games later, the men’s national championship game is set after an action-packed Saturday night of national semifinals at the Final Four in San Antonio.
The Florida Gators and Houston Cougars each launched second-half comebacks against the Auburn Tigers and Duke Blue Devils, respectively, to punch their tickets to what is shaping up to be a historic title game.
This is Houston’s third trip to the final stage of the NCAA tournament and first since losing its previous two appearances in 1983 and 1984. The Cougars’ previous six Final Fours are the most without a title by an program in NCAA tournament history. And Kelvin Sampson is the second-most winningest active head coach without a championship.
Florida, meanwhile, is returning for the first time since winning back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007. It’s the Gators fourth trip all-time, having lost their first appearance in 2000.
The history between these programs, though, is limited: They have only met twice, both times in the 1970s.
Our college basketball analysts take an early look at Monday’s matchup, with keys for each team and predictions.
Skip to: Early title game preview | How Florida, Houston won | Relive the Final Four
What to know about Florida
No. 1 factor that helped the Gators reach the title game: Walter Clayton Jr.
It’s always Walter Clayton Jr., isn’t it? The senior guard became the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to produce back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and national semifinals, according to ESPN Research. He finished with 34 points and five 3-pointers, with Auburn unable to defend him. Florida looked stagnant offensively with him on the bench in the first half, but came to life when he got going after the break. Auburn had no answer for his stunning shotmaking ability. Bruce Pearl switched his big wings onto Clayton, but it didn’t matter. Contested shots, getting run off the 3-point line — Clayton found a way. It was a remarkable performance.
Their key to winning the title game: Walter Clayton Jr. (again).
Much of it will come down to whether Clayton can keep it going against Houston’s No. 1-ranked defense. On Saturday, Florida’s offense went through stretches against Auburn when the Tigers kept the Gators in the half court and open looks were at a premium because of physicality and size. Houston will be more physical and the Cougars will look to keep Florida out of transition. The Gators might hold their own on the glass and get a few second-chance opportunities, but it’s going to be Clayton. They have needed him to go on a Kemba Walker-type run, and Clayton has carried them so far. They need one more historic showing from the All-America guard. — Jeff Borzello
What to know about Houston
No. 1 factor that helped the Cougars reach the title game: Houston’s physicality wore a young Duke team down.
Kelvin Sampson runs a drill in practice where he throws a ball onto the court and a pair of players must wrestle to grab it. That physical approach has made the Cougars the best defensive team in America. Throughout Saturday night, it was clear Duke had the size advantage with a fleet of players 6-foot-5 or taller, but in the final minutes, Sampson’s up-close-and-personal approach to defense with the Cougars wore the Blue Devils down.
With 8:17 to play in the game, Duke had a 59-45 lead. Then Duke fell apart and scored just eight points the rest of the game, while Houston rallied. J’Wan Roberts and L.J. Cryer both hit big free throws down the stretch and Joseph Tugler had a key dunk late, too.
Overall, Houston refused to break against a Blue Devils team that had been favored to win the national title for months. The No. 1 defensive team in America played like the No. 1 defensive team in America on Saturday night.
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Duke falls to Houston in chaotic ending
Houston takes down Duke after a chaotic ending involving a missed Cooper Flagg jumper and foul, with Tyrese Proctor coming up short on a last-second heave.
Their key to winning the title game: Houston will have to stop Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton is approaching a legendary run after becoming the second player in history after Larry Bird to score 30 or more points in the same NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight and Final Four. While Florida is not a one-man show, Houston could find itself in the same difficult spot that led to UConn, Maryland, Texas Tech and Auburn being dismissed from the tournament. Clayton is that good. But, Houston also just beat a Duke team that seemed unbeatable, a team led by Cooper Flagg — winner of multiple national player of the year awards. The Cougars won’t be intimidated. They are the best defensive team in America. If anyone can stall Clayton, they can. — Myron Medcalf
Florida vs. Houston predictions
Jeff Borzello: Houston, 67-65Myron Medcalf: Houston, 70-67
Final Four analysis
Final: Houston defeated Duke 70-67
How Houston won: Saturday’s Final Four matchup between Duke and Houston seemed like another stop on the Blue Devils’ march to a national championship, just another coronation for the looming Cooper Flagg and Duke title. After Tyrese Proctor’s free throw put Duke up by 14 points with 8:17 left in the second half, the inevitable seemed closer than ever. But Houston stayed true to its culture — defense, toughness and offensive rebounding — to flip the game and stun Duke.
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The Cougars went on a 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds, taking the lead on two J’Wan Roberts free throws with 19 seconds remaining and then icing the game with two L.J. Cryer free throws with 3.7 seconds to go. Flagg came up short on a turnaround jumper on the next-to-last possession and Proctor’s desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer was long. Cryer led the way with 26 points and six 3-pointers, while Flagg had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in what was likely his final college game. — Jeff Borzello
Final: Florida defeated Auburn 79-73
How Florida won: Whenever things begin to fall apart, Florida turns to its star — it’s in those moments when the best version of Walter Clayton Jr., an AP first team All-American, shows up. It happened again Saturday, as Clayton took it upon himself (again) to ruin Auburn’s dreams and send the Tigers home when he scored a game-high 34 points. A late 3-point play — a bucket and a free throw after a foul — sealed the win for a determined Florida squad. Down by nine points early in the second half, the Gators turned to their hero, who extended his postseason display of back-breaking shots as he led Florida out of another hole to help the program advance to the national title game Monday night for the first time since 2007, when the program won back-to-back national titles. — Myron Medcalf
