Just one year ago, Duke defeated Houston in the Sweet 16 in a game marked by defense and a critical injury that shifted momentum in the Blue Devils’ favor.
The Cougars’ All-American point guard Jamal Shead suffered an ankle injury in the first half of their 54-51 loss against Duke, losing the guy who set the tone on both sides of the court.
Houston
Houston, like Duke, does not rely solely on one or two defensive standouts. The Cougars have length all over the court, and their defensive roster has evolved significantly during their time at Sampson.
J’Wan Roberts helps the engine run defensively, and Joseph Tugler is a strong shot-blocker, averaging two per game. Milos Uzan has successfully replaced Shead as a two-way standout in the backcourt, but guarding the frontcourt will be more vital versus Duke.
‘s team now has an opportunity for atonement.
Houston sealed its way to the Final Four with a win over Tennessee on Saturday, shutting down the Volunteers’ offense and securing a stress-free victory after two games went down to the wire.
In San Antonio, an experienced Houston defense will face a Duke club propelled by its own high-flying defense.
Here’s all you need to know about the Final Four battle of top seeds.
Duke vs. Houston set for the Final Four
Duke and Houston will face off on April 5 in San Antonio, in what could be each team’s toughest test of the season. Coaches Jon Scheyer and Kelvin Sampson meet for the second time in the NCAA Tournament, having met in the Sweet 16 the previous year.
Duke hopes to progress to its first national championship game since 2015, when a Jahlil Okafor-led Blue Devils team defeated Wisconsin to win Mike Krzyzewski‘s fifth and final crown.
Houston, meanwhile, last made the Final Four in 2021 but has yet to compete in a national championship game under Sampson. The Cougars last played for a championship in 1984 and have yet to win a national championship.
How defense has been the deciding element in Final Four runs.
Duke
made one defensive mistake against Arizona in the Sweet 16, allowing 93 points, but the game demonstrated that the Blue Devils can win in any style. Duke outscored Arizona by 100 points before holding Alabama to 65 points.
After holding Mount St. Mary’s to 49 points in the first round, Duke limited Baylor to 66 points and won both games handily.
This season, the Blue Devils have only allowed 80 or more points once, and it isn’t simply because they’ve faced terrible ACC offenses. Days after Alabama scored 113 points against BYU, Duke knocked the Crimson Tide utterly out of sync offensively, disrupting nearly every shot around the rim.
Houston
Sampson established Houston’s program around outstanding defense, which is now expected year after year. The offense is usually the issue, and it was what killed the Cougars in last year’s game versus Duke.
Houston entered Sunday allowing only 58.5 points per game, the best mark in the country, and the Cougars limited Tennessee to 50 points in the victory. Gonzaga’s 76-point performance against Houston in the second round demonstrated that great offenses aren’t doomed against the Cougars, but Duke may not even need 76 points to defeat Sampson’s team.
Breaking down defensive strategies.
Duke
Duke can do a little bit of everything offensively, but their aim against Alabama was clear: don’t give them any easy looks near the rim. While it wasn’t fully reflected in the stats, Khaman Maluach was a consistent disruptor in the paint, influencing shot after shot and removing one of the Tide’s main strengths.
Houston‘s shooting is inconsistent, but the Cougars won’t be able to count on clean looks around the basket as long as Maluach remains on the court. Duke also did a good job of forcing difficult 3-pointers against Alabama, though the Tide missed the majority of their open chances. Houston’s ability to capitalize on a handful of these opportunities will be vital.
Duke
Duke can do a little bit of everything offensively, but their aim against Alabama was clear: don’t give them any easy looks near the rim. While it wasn’t fully reflected in the stats, Khaman Maluach was a consistent disruptor in the paint, influencing shot after shot and removing one of the Tide’s main strengths.
Houston’s shooting is inconsistent, but the Cougars won’t be able to count on clean looks around the basket as long as Maluach remains on the court. Duke also did a good job of forcing difficult 3-pointers against Alabama, though the Tide missed the majority of their open chances. Houston’s ability to capitalize on a handful of these opportunities will be vital.
Houston
Houston’s defense focuses on length. The Cougars have height, but they lack a real big man who mostly protects the rim. Instead, Sampson appreciates athletes with massive wingspans who can disrupt every aspect of the game.
The Cougars are ranked top-65 nationally in thefts and blocks, and they rarely commit turnovers. After Duke forced turnovers against Alabama early in the Elite Eight, whether Houston’s offense can maintain its ball control as it has all season might be the game’s story.
Key defensive players.
Duke
The Blue Devils have many of players who can make a significant defensive impact, but it all starts with Cooper Flagg and Maluach. Flagg and Maluach each average 1.3 blocks per game, but that doesn’t take into account how frequently Flagg forces difficult shoots or Maluach disturbs shots.
A healthy Maliq Brown, who averages 1.2 steals a game in 15 minutes, could have a huge influence for
Duke in spurts. Despite missing several games this season due to a shoulder injury, the Syracuse transfer contributed to Duke’s defensive dominance against Alabama.
Houston
Houston, like Duke, does not rely solely on one or two defensive standouts. The Cougars have length all over the court, and their defensive roster has evolved significantly during their time at Sampson.
J’Wan Roberts helps the engine run defensively, and Joseph Tugler is a strong shot-blocker, averaging two per game. Milos Uzan has successfully replaced Shead as a two-way standout in the backcourt, but guarding the frontcourt will be more vital against Duke.
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