2025 Final Four: Duke vs. Houston, Florida vs. Auburn for March Madness

Quick Comparison

The action starts April 5, with the championship game set for April 7 at 8:50 PM ET.

Game Schedule and Details

Florida vs. Auburn Game Info

The first Final Four game brings Florida and Auburn face-to-face at the Alamodome. The action starts at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5, 2025, and will be broadcast on CBS/March Madness Live. This game adds another chapter to the SEC rivalry these teams share.

After this opener, the excitement continues with Duke battling Houston in the second matchup of the night.

Duke vs. Houston Game Info

The second game of the evening features Duke squaring off against Houston. Tipoff is set for 8:49 p.m. ET, also at the Alamodome. With a trip to the national championship on the line, this clash is sure to deliver. The championship game will take place on Monday, April 7, at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Final Four Schedule - April 5, 2025

Florida vs. Auburn Analysis

Florida Team Breakdown

Florida is putting up impressive numbers, averaging 85.4 points per game. Walter Clayton Jr. is leading the charge, with transfer Alijah Martin adding strength to the backcourt. The team's frontcourt isn't slacking either, boasting a 38.9% offensive rebounding rate.

Auburn Team Breakdown

Auburn's focus is on defense, and it shows. While the team has had its challenges, they’ve stepped up during the postseason. Johni Broome had a standout performance against Michigan, scoring 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. On the defensive side, Auburn has been tough to beat, holding opponents to 29.6% shooting from three-point range.

Betting Lines and Numbers

The betting market is leaning heavily toward Florida early on. According to Johnny Avello, DraftKings' sportsbook operations director:

Currently, Florida is seeing strong betting interest, with spread tickets at a 3-to-1 ratio and spread money at 7-to-1 in favor of the Gators.

Duke vs. Houston Analysis

Duke Team Breakdown

Duke heads into the matchup with the nation's top-rated offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. They shoot an impressive 58.5% on two-pointers and 38.6% from beyond the arc. Their size is a major advantage - none of their starters are under 6-foot-6, and they rank 11th nationally in total rebound rate. Leading the charge is Flagg, a projected top NBA pick, supported by a deep rotation that has outscored opponents 367–273 so far.

Houston Team Breakdown

Houston takes a very different approach, leaning heavily on their defense. They hold opponents to 58.3 points per game and just 38.2% shooting. Offensively, they’ve been strong from three-point range, hitting 39.7%, their best rate since the 1997–98 season. The backcourt duo of LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan has been a standout, though Houston lacks height, with no rotation player taller than 6'8". Their deliberate style and defensive focus place them 26th nationally in both rebound and turnover rates.

Betting Lines and Numbers

Here’s a look at the current betting lines for the game:

The betting odds highlight Duke as the tournament favorite. Key factors include Duke's dominant offensive numbers - 58.5% two-point shooting and their ability to hold opponents to 33.7% from three-point range - against Houston's elite defense, which limits teams to just 58.3 points per game.

Final Four PREVIEW: Florida vs. Auburn, Houston vs. Duke

Win Requirements

As the Final Four draws near, each team has specific goals to meet if they want to secure a spot in the championship game. Here's what they need to focus on:

Florida's Game Plan

Florida has to make the most of its frontcourt depth and Walter Clayton Jr.'s ability to lead the offense. The rotation of Condon, Chinyelu, Haugh, and Handlogten must work together to limit Johni Broome's impact. On offense, Clayton's skill in breaking through Auburn's tight perimeter defense will be key to creating scoring chances.

Auburn's Strategy

Auburn needs a standout performance from Johni Broome while ensuring their defensive rotations are sharp enough to counter Florida's strong frontcourt. Improving their defensive efficiency is a must - they've recently allowed 1.13 points per possession in their losses, a number they can't afford to repeat.

Duke's Approach

Duke should focus on forcing Houston into tough two-point attempts, staying solid on perimeter defense, and using their height advantage. With no rotation player on Houston's side taller than 6'8", Duke's size and offensive efficiency are their strongest tools for controlling the tempo of the game.

Houston's Focus

Houston must maintain their elite defense while creating open looks from beyond the arc. The backcourt duo of Cryer and Uzan will play a big role in setting up those opportunities. To succeed, Houston needs to stick to their defensive strengths and take advantage of their excellent three-point shooting accuracy.

Game Picks and Projections

Florida-Auburn Pick

Florida and Auburn bring high-powered offenses to this matchup. Earlier this season, Florida edged out Auburn 90-81, highlighting their efficient scoring and dominance on the boards. The Gators rank second nationally in offensive efficiency and boast an impressive 38.9% offensive rebound rate. Walter Clayton Jr. has been a key player for Florida, and with Auburn dealing with questions surrounding Johni Broome's health after his Elite Eight injury, Florida seems to have the advantage.

Prediction: Florida takes the win, 84-79, over Auburn.

Duke-Houston Pick

This game pits Duke's top-ranked offense against Houston's elite defense. Duke has steamrolled through the tournament, outscoring opponents 367-273 across four games. Houston's strong defense and 39.8% three-point shooting will test Duke, but the Blue Devils' size advantage could be the deciding factor in breaking down Houston's defensive schemes.

Prediction: Duke advances with a 75-68 win over Houston.

Title Game Outlook

With the Final Four set, a potential Duke-Florida championship game looms. Duke enters as the favorite at +110 to win the title, while Florida trails at +250. This matchup would showcase Duke's size and NBA-level talent against Florida's dynamic offense and cohesive play. Led by projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick Flagg, Duke's balanced attack puts them in a strong position to claim the championship.

Championship Prediction: Duke defeats Florida, 82-77, earning Jon Scheyer his first national title as head coach.

Conclusion

San Antonio sets the stage for the Final Four, showcasing some of the season's most defining matchups. This marks only the second time since 2008 that all No. 1 seeds have reached this point, highlighting the intense competition this year.

Duke enters as the favorite, blending top-tier offense with a solid defense to take on Houston, a team known for its defensive strength and accurate three-point shooting. On the other side, Florida and Auburn promise a high-scoring showdown, driven by their offensive efficiency. Auburn's championship hopes may hinge on Broome's performance.

The action begins on April 5, with Florida and Auburn tipping off at 6:09 PM ET, followed by Duke and Houston at 8:49 PM ET. Fans can catch both games live on CBS or stream them on March Madness Live.

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