Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Spread: Duke -4.5
Over/Under: 136.5

Preview:

This Final Four matchup pits the Houston Cougars, seeking their first National Championship appearance since 1984, against the perennial powerhouse Duke Blue Devils. It’s a clash of styles, with Houston’s typically tough, defensive-minded approach going up against a Duke team that, led by star freshman Cooper Flagg (who averaged 19.5 points in Duke’s four prior tournament games), boasts plenty of offensive firepower.

Houston(34-4), has shown an impressive 10-0 record when playing away, proving the team is road tested. The Cougars team will come in ready to battle.

Duke, one of the favorites, is looking every bit the part. The Blue Devils are a team that can, and do, score from all areas of the court.

Prediction:

This is a tough game to call. Houston’s defense will certainly test Duke, and the Cougars have proven they can win in hostile environments. However, Duke’s talent, particularly Flagg’s emergence as a tournament star, is hard to ignore. The -4.5 spread indicates a close contest, and that’s likely what we’ll get.

While Houston’s defense will keep them in the game, Duke’s offensive versatility and Flagg’s ability to take over will ultimately be the difference.

Pick: Duke -4.5

Over/Under: Lean Under 136.5. Houston’s defensive prowess should lead to a lower-scoring affair than the total suggests. While Duke can put up points, expect the Cougars to dictate the tempo and make this a grind-it-out battle. The under presents more value than the over in this case.

Sources:
Houston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils – April 05, 2025 | FOX Sports
Houston Cougars vs Duke Blue Devils – Game Center – 2025-04-05 …
TBD vs. Duke Blue Devils – April 05, 2025 | FOX Sports
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