In one of the most thrilling Final Four games in recent memory, Houston basketball completed a six-point comeback with under 40 seconds remaining against Duke on Saturday.
The Cougars at one point had only an 8.4% chance of winning when down 67-61 with possession late in the second half. Of course, that meant Duke was heavily favored to win, based on win percentages at that point of the game.
The March Madness social media account chronicled the Blue Devils’ plummeting win chances as crucial plays unfolded down the stretch of the Cougars’ 70-67 comeback.
Duke’s chances fell from 91.6% to 84.7% after Emanuel Sharp’s 3-pointer made the score 67-64 Duke with 32.4 seconds remaining. Houston’s chances rose to 34.2% after forcing a steal on the ensuing inbounds pass, with Joseph Tugler reducing the Cougars’ deficit to 67-66 on the putback dunk after a 3-point miss.
A controversial foul on Duke’s Cooper Flagg then put J’Wan Roberts at the free-throw line, and Roberts nailed both shots to give Houston a 68-67 lead with 19.6 seconds left. Roberts’ free throw makes then gave Houston a 60.2% chance to win, according to the video, after Duke held a 65.8% chance before the free-throw shots.
Flagg missed the ensuing potential game-winning shot, which flipped Houston’s chances all the way to 84.7% as the Cougars held possession with under nine seconds remaining. Houston made its two free-throw attempts after Duke fouled, and Duke couldn’t get a 3-pointer up after the full-court heave from the opposing baseline.
The crazy end to the game resulted in Houston’s first national championship appearance since 1984, as the Cougars and coach Kelvin Sampson pull off the upset over the perceived favorites of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
Houston now shifts its focus to Florida, where it’ll aim to bring that same can’t-give-up mentality in the final game of the season.