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Houston’s History Haunts, But Is This the Year They Finally Cash In?
No program has danced deeper in March without cutting down the nets than Houston. Six trips to the Final Four. Zero titles. And heartbreak every time — from running into legends like Kareem and Ewing, to watching Lorenzo Charles crush Phi Slama Jama’s dreams in ‘83 with that last-second dunk.
Now, nearly four decades later, the Cougars are back on the doorstep. And after Saturday’s wild comeback against top-seeded Duke — erasing a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes — Houston (35-4) is suddenly one win away from rewriting history.
Not many expected them here. Despite running through the Big 12 and dropping just one game since Thanksgiving, Houston entered the tournament with questions. But now? They just knocked off Cooper Flagg and the nation’s most efficient offense of the last 25 years (per KenPom). And they did it with grit, defense, and a never-say-die mentality.
The vibes are peaking, and the legends are watching — Olajuwon, Drexler, Elvin Hayes all courtside in San Antonio. You can feel what’s at stake.
“We’re standing on their shoulders,” said senior guard LJ Cryer, who dropped 26 in the semifinal stunner. “Getting it done would mean everything — for us and for them.”
Kelvin Sampson, 69, is chasing his first ring — and a piece of history as the oldest coach to ever win it all. His calling card has always been defense and toughness, but this squad’s got range too: Houston leads the nation in 3-point shooting (39.9%) behind Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan.
But don’t count out Florida (35-4). The Gators are riding an 11-game win streak and bring serious firepower. Head coach Todd Golden, just 39, has built a juggernaut — the third-most efficient offense in KenPom history (128.8 points per 100 possessions). And he’s got the tournament’s hottest hand in Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton’s been on another planet: 30 points vs. Texas Tech, 34 against Auburn, including 20 in the second half. When the Gators need a bucket, they turn to him — and he delivers.
The sportsbooks? Split. Florida laying -1 or -1.5, but predictive models like KenPom give Houston the edge.
Translation: This one’s a coin flip — and it could come down to the final possession, just like UVA-Texas Tech in 2019.
Golden knows Houston’s D is different. Bigs like Tugler and Roberts can switch on guards, and the Cougars swarm the ball. Expect doubles on Clayton all night — force him to give it up, and make someone else beat them.
“If we keep them off the glass,” Golden said, “we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
That’s the game within the game: Houston’s relentless rebounding and elite defense vs. Florida’s high-octane attack and Clayton’s takeover potential.
We’re rolling with the Under 142.5 Total Points -130.
