University basketball fans were upset with a foul call at Cooper Flagg at the end of the epic collapse of the Duke Blue Devils against the Houston Couars in the Final Four on Saturday night.
Duke was shooting free throws with 19.6 seconds in the game and climbing a point. The shooting of the guard Tyrese Proctor left the edge and bounced towards Flagg. While the NBA professional future fought with two Houston players for the ball, a referee blew the whistle and called a lack of loose balls on flagg.
CLICK HERE for more sports coverage at Foxnews.com
Duke striker, Cooper Flagg, reacts during Houston’s game during the last four semifinals, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Antonio. (Photo AP/Brynn Anderson)
J’wan Roberts made two free throws to put Houston a point. Duke lost some shots in the section and the Cougars won the 70-67 game to advance to the National Championship.
Duke and fans were incredulous.
“I have to give them a lot of credit for what they do every night they play,” Flagg said after the game. “We could have been a bit more clear in the section executing some things. At the end of the day, you also have to give them a lot of credit.”
2025 March Madness Madness Odds: Houston opens as a light favorite about Florida
Duke’s Cooper Flagg cleanses his face during a press conference after Duke lost to Houston in national semifinals, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston closed the game in a 9-0 race in the last 33 seconds. Flagg had 27 points.
“Knowing when entering that game that he was the player of the year, which brought his team to the Final Four, we knew it would be a challenge,” Roberts said.
Blue Devils chief coach Jon Scheyer lamented the collapse
“It’s heartbreaking, it’s incredibly disappointing,” he said. “There is a lot of pain that comes with this. That’s what the tournament is about.”
J’wan Roberts de Houston, on the left, and Mylik Wilson celebrate against Duke during national semifinals, on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Houston will play Florida in the game for the title. The Coupars have never won a national championship.
