The stage is set for an epic clash in San Antonio! On Saturday, April 5, 2025, No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils take on No. 1 seed Houston Cougars in the second national semifinal of the Final Four at the Alamodome. This isn’t just any game-it’s a rematch of last year’s nail-biting Sweet 16 battle, where Duke edged out Houston 54-51. Now, both teams are back, reloaded, and ready to fight for a spot in the national championship.
Duke, led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, is stepping into its first Final Four since the legendary Mike Krzyzewski retired. The Blue Devils have been unstoppable in the tournament, blowing out opponents with double-digit leads in all four games, including a statement 85-65 win over No. 2 Alabama in the Elite Eight. Meanwhile, Houston’s been just as dominant, flexing their top-ranked defense in a 69-50 smackdown of No. 2 Tennessee. With Duke’s towering lineup and No. 1 offensive efficiency facing off against Houston’s suffocating D and sharpshooting from deep, this one’s shaping up to be a classic.
- Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Time: 8:49 p.m. ET (5:49 p.m. PT)
- Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Catch it live on March Madness Live (free with a cable login) or services like Paramount+, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV that carry CBS.
Mark your calendars and grab your snacks-this game’s tipping off late, so you’ll want to settle in for the night!
Odds & Spread
Here’s the latest from SportsLine consensus as of today, April 5, 2025:
- Spread: Duke -4.5 (Blue Devils favored by 4.5 points)
- Moneyline: Duke -260 (bet $260 to win $100), Houston +212 (bet $100 to win $212)
- Over/Under: 136.5 points
Duke’s the slight favorite, but don’t sleep on Houston-they’ve got the grit and experience to make this a dogfight.
Prediction & Pick
This matchup pits Duke’s high-octane offense against Houston’s lockdown defense, and it’s tough to call. Duke’s defense doesn’t get enough credit-it’s fifth in the nation in efficiency and just held Alabama 25 points below their average. They’ve only let teams score over 70 twice in their last 15 games, thanks to their length and tenacity inside. Houston, though, is the gold standard defensively, topping the charts in efficiency and 3-point shooting as a team.
I see this being a grind-it-out kind of game. Duke’s size could clog the paint and limit Houston’s easy looks, forcing the Cougars to rely heavily on their outside shooting. If Houston’s threes aren’t falling, it might be a long night. My gut says Duke pulls it off, but the safer bet is on Houston’s team total staying low given Duke’s rim protection and the slower pace this game could take.
Pick: Houston Team Total Under 66.5 – Chip Patterson’s got a point here; it’s hard to see Houston lighting up the scoreboard against this Duke squad.
