SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Saturday's Final Four matchup between Duke and Houston seemed like another stop on the Blue Devils' march to a national championship, just another coronation for the looming Cooper Flagg and Duke title.
After a Tyrese Proctor free throw put Duke up by 14 points with 8:17 left in the second half, the inevitable seemed closer than ever.
But Houston stayed true to its culture -- defense, toughness and offensive rebounding -- to flip the game and stun Duke, 70-67.
The Cougars went on a 9-0 run in the final 35 seconds, taking the lead on two J'Wan Roberts free throws with 19 seconds remaining and then icing the game with two LJ Cryer free throws with 3.