Houston’s quest to become the third team from the state of Texas to win the NCAA men’s basketball national championship continues when the Cougars take on Duke in a Final Four battle of No. 1 seeds.
Duke and superstar Cooper Flagg have been dominant throughout this tournament. They won three of four games by 20 points or more en route to the semifinals and also had a seven-point win against Arizona. Houston was tested early in the tournament but is coming off its best game yet, a 19-point rout of Tennessee.
Purdue Boilermakers forward Camden Heide shoots the game-tying 3-pointer past Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament March 28, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Duke is a 4 1/2-point favorite. The winner will play either Florida or Auburn on Monday night in the national championship game.
What time does Duke vs Houston basketball play today?
The No. 1 Houston Cougars will face No. 1 Duke in Saturday’s second Final Four semifinal. The game will start at 6:49 p.m. Mountain (7:49 p.m. local/Central) at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
How to watch the Final Four game
Houston plays Duke Saturday, April 5, at 6:49 p.m. MT/7:49 p.m. CT on CBS.
Houston vs. Duke predictions
Who will they play next?
The winner advances to the National Championship game in San Antonio, where it will play Monday against Florida or Auburn. Those two teams play immediately before Houston and Duke.
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The El Paso Times: Houston 64, Duke 63
Bret Bloomquist writes: “Perhaps the most unstoppable force in college basketball, Duke forward Cooper Flagg, takes on perhaps the most immovable defense in college basketball in Houston. Does good defense beat good offense in a national semifinal? That’s the cliche, now comes the test.”
The Arizona Republic: Duke 70, Houston 64
Jeremy Cluff writes: “The Blue Devils are a 4.5-point favorite in this ACC vs Big 12 game and are the favorites to win the national title, but the Cougars will not go out without a fight. Houston has won 17 straight games and has been playing some exceptional defense. But Duke has also shined on the defensive end and we trust Cooper Flagg and company more on offense.”
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Fayetteville Observer: Duke 69, Houston 65
Rodd Baxley writes: “The Cougars have the talent, experience and toughness to beat the Blue Devils and cut down the nets on the following Monday in Texas. But they don’t have Cooper Flagg, who will be the star among stars in the Lone Star State. Duke wins a close one to clinch its spot in the national championship game.”
Bookies.com: Bet Duke to cover vs Houston
Bill Speros writes: “This 4.5 spread is tied for the tightest Duke has seen all season. An early surge from the Blue Devils could quickly tilt this game. Duke’s size advantage in the backcourt is a key mismatch, and 7-footer Khaman Maluach is poised to dominate both ends in the paint. The Cougars may struggle to keep pace if the game speeds up or becomes a battle of runs. The over also warrants consideration given the potential scoring firepower on both rosters.”
Picks and Parlays: Duke 75, Houston 66
Cameron Ross writes: “This is a matchup between 2 of the best teams in the nation and it will live up to the hype. Duke is the most complete team in the country and Houston has the best defense. Look for Duke to rely on their future NBA players to do enough down the stretch of this game to get it done. Take Duke Saturday in the Final 4 to punch their ticket into the chip with a win and cover.”
ESPN: Duke has a 53.9% chance to beat Houston
The site gives the Cougars a 46.1% shot at defeating the Blue Devils in Saturday’s second Final Four March Madness NCAA Tournament game.
Houston vs. Duke Final Four odds
Duke is a 4 1/2-point favorites, according to odds on BetMGM.com. With an over-under of 136 1/2, Duke is expected to win 70-66.
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Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Houston vs. Duke today in Final Four at San Antonio: How to watch
