The anticipation that accompanied college basketball’s four best teams advancing to the men’s Final Four in the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will perhaps reach its peak in the second game of Saturday night’s traditional doubleheader.
No. 1 seed Duke vs. No. 1 seed Houston has the makings of a March Madness classic (in April) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The nation’s best offensive team (Duke), with the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft (Cooper Flagg) faces the nation’s best defensive team (Houston) and one of the best coaches in the country seeking his first national championship (Kelvin Sampson). It’s a rematch from last year’s postseason when the fourth-seeded Blue Devils upset No. 1 seed Houston in the Sweet 16 after the Cougars lost all-American Jamal Shead to injury.
This year, Duke (35-3) is the favorite, but Houston (34-4) boasts another experienced lineup led by guard L.J. Cryor and forward J’Wan Roberts to spearhead Sampson’s relentless approach. The Blue Devils are No. 1 in the KenPom ratings and considered the highest-rated team in Ken Pomeroy’s rating system in 16 years, with the most efficient offense in the country and one of the nation’s top-five defenses. Duke reached the Final Four with convincing wins over No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s, No. 9 seed Baylor, No. 4 seed Arizona and No. 2 seed Alabama.
This, however, is the best team Sampson has coached, according to the metrics. Houston has lost just once since December and orchestrated clutch plays late to beat No. 8 seed Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament second round and No. 4 seed Purdue in the Sweet 16. The Cougars then shut down No. 2 seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight to create this clash of current college basketball powers.
Here’s what else to know ahead of Saturday’s Final Four game between No. 1 seed Duke and No. 1 seed Houston, including odds, how to watch and expert predictions and picks for the game.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
MARCH MADNESS 2025: AI predicts men’s Final Four, national championship winners
Duke vs. Houston Final Four predictions and picks
USA TODAY Network: Picks are split
ESPN: Only Joe Lunardi likes Houston
- Jeff Borzello: Duke wins, 70-68
- Myron Medcalf: Duke wins, 74-70
- Joe Lunardi: Houston wins, 75-70
- Neil Paine: Duke wins, 65-64
Sports Illustrated: Duke wins and covers
Peter Dewey writes, “This matchup features two elite defensive teams, as the Cougars are No. 1 in the country in opponent points per game, but I lean with the Blue Devils to reach the final. When at their peak, Duke is the best team in the country on both ends of the floor, ranking ninth in points per game, seventh in opponent points per game, sixth in field goal percentage and fourth in opponent field goal percentage.”
Duke vs. Houston March Madness 2025 odds
Odds as of Thursday, April 3 via BetMGM.
- Total: 136.5
- Spread: Duke -5.5 (-105)
- Moneyline Favorite: Duke -275
- Moneyline Underdog: Houston +225
Watch the Final Four with Fubo (free trial)
Duke vs. Houston: TV channel, start time, where to watch
The Final Four contest between Duke and Houston will be broadcast on CBS. Ian Eagle will be the play-by-play announcer, with analysis from Bill Raftery and Grant Hill and reporting from courtside by Tracy Wolfson. Cord-cutting fans can stream the action on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new subscribers.
- Game Day: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Game Time: 8:49 p.m. ET
- Location: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo
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