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Elite Eight Set National Championship Stage in San Antonio
Following a season dominated by top-tier teams in college basketball, the stage is set for a championship showdown between two of these elite programs. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has culminated in a highly anticipated National Championship game matchup.
Gators Advance to National Title Game
The Florida Gators are heading to their fourth National Championship game in school history after a hard-fought victory in the Final Four.
Florida Defeats Auburn in Final Four Thriller
In Saturday’s Final Four contest in San Antonio, the University of Florida Gators triumphed over the No. 1 overall seed Auburn Tigers, securing a 79-73 win. This victory propels Florida into the national title game.
Cougars Complete Stunning Comeback Against Blue Devils
In the subsequent game, the Houston Cougars orchestrated a remarkable comeback, upsetting the Duke Blue Devils with a final score of 70-67. Houston overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half, rallying in the closing minutes to stun Duke and their heralded freshman class led by Cooper Flagg.
Championship Showdown Set for Monday
The highly anticipated, winner-takes-all National Championship game is scheduled for Monday night at 8:50pm Eastern Time, promising an exciting conclusion to the college basketball season.
No. 1 Florida 79, No. 1 Auburn 73
This Final Four clash marked the second encounter between Florida and Auburn this season. Previously, Florida defeated Auburn 90-81 on the road during the regular season.
Walter Clayton Jr. spearheaded the Gators’ offense, posting 34 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Clayton’s stellar performance included 11-for-18 shooting from the field and 5-for-8 from three-point range.
Conversely, Auburn’s standout player and Player of the Year contender, Johni Broome, was limited to 15 points and seven rebounds, with only three points coming in the second half.
Florida returns to the title game for the first time since 2007, the year they clinched their second consecutive national championship.
For Auburn, this marks their second Final Four loss in as many appearances. Their previous Final Four run in 2019 ended in defeat against eventual national冠军 Virginia.
Chad Baker-Mazara led the Tigers with 18 points, shooting 60 percent from the field. Guard Denver Jones added 10 points, but shot 3-for-9.
Freshman Tahaad Pettiford, a bright spot for Auburn throughout the season, struggled in this contest, scoring only seven points on 1-for-6 shooting.
Alijah Martin of Florida is heading to his second Final Four in consecutive years, having reached this stage with Florida Atlantic in 2023. This time, his 17 points were crucial for the Gators.
Thomas Haugh contributed to Florida’s scoring effort with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Gators’ coach Todd Golden advanced to his first national title game, defeating his former mentor, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl.
After trailing 46-38 at halftime, Florida’s defense tightened, holding Auburn to just 27 second-half points. While the Gators shot 50 percent from the field in the second half, the Tigers managed only a third of their attempts.
Clayton’s second-half surge was instrumental in Florida’s comeback. He scored 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, erasing the halftime deficit.
Baker-Mazara led Auburn in second-half scoring with 10 points, but after Florida regained the lead on a Haugh layup at 6:31 remaining, Auburn could not reclaim the advantage.
Florida now prepares for the National Championship game, seeking their third title. Their previous appearances in the title game include back-to-back championships and a loss in 2000 to Michigan State.
No. 1 Houston 70, No. 1 Duke 67
Following their Elite Eight victory in Newark, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer addressed concerns about his predominantly freshman lineup facing immense pressure. He expressed confidence in his young team’s ability to handle high-stakes situations.
However, the pressure proved significant for the Blue Devils in their biggest moment.
The Houston Cougars are returning to the national title game for the first time since the “Phi Slamma Jamma” era, staging an epic comeback in the Final Four.
Houston’s 14-point comeback ranks as the third-largest in Final Four history, equaling San Diego State’s rally against Florida Atlantic in 2023.
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s standout freshman and potential No. 1 overall draft pick, led the Blue Devils with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
In a pivotal moment, with 18 seconds remaining and Duke trailing by one, Flagg’s fadeaway jumper missed, and Houston secured the rebound.
A foul on Duke guard Tyrese Proctor sent Houston’s LJ Cryer to the free-throw line, where he iced the game with two successful shots, finalizing his 26-point, five-rebound performance.
A desperation heave from Duke at the buzzer fell short, sealing Houston’s stunning victory.
Cryer’s 26 points were instrumental in the Cougars’ win. Emanuel Sharp contributed 16 points and three rebounds, and J’wan Roberts added 11 points and 12 rebounds.
For Duke, Flagg’s 27 points were a game-high. Freshman teammate Kon Knueppel added 16 points and seven rebounds.
However, the rest of the Blue Devils combined for just 24 points on 8-for-25 shooting.
The game unfolded as a tale of two halves. Duke led 34-28 at halftime, shooting over 41 percent against Houston’s top-ranked defense.
Houston struggled offensively in the first half, shooting only 31 percent. Cryer carried the scoring load as his teammates struggled to find their range.
Late in the second half, Duke appeared to be in control. Proctor’s free throw with 8:17 remaining extended Duke’s lead to 59-45, their largest of the game.
With 3:03 left, Flagg’s three-pointer put Duke ahead 64-55. It would be their final basket of the game.
Following that basket, Houston unleashed a 15-3 surge, including a 9-0 run in the final 30 seconds.
Even late in the game, a Duke inbound error appeared costly for Houston as Kon Knueppel’s free throw extended Duke’s lead to six points with 1:14 left.
A three-pointer by Houston’s Emanuel Sharp narrowed the gap to three. A steal by Mylik Wilson led to a missed three-point attempt, but Joseph Tugler’s tip-in made it a one-point game with 25 seconds remaining.
With Duke in the bonus, Houston fouled Proctor, sending him to the line for a one-and-one. Proctor missed, and J’wan Roberts went to the line for Houston.
Roberts calmly sank both free throws, giving the Cougars their first lead since the 15:27 mark of the first half.
This set up the final play for Flagg, whose contested jumper was off the mark.
Cryer then sealed the victory with free throws, completing Houston’s remarkable comeback and setting up a National Championship matchup against Florida in their home state.