At kenpom.com and evanmiya.com, Duke finished with the highest rating, even after bowing out in the Final Four. In

All Kelvin Sampson could do was stand there, hands on hips with a blank look on his face, as the ball bounced loose and Houston’s latest chance at a national title bounced away, too.

It's not like the Cougars aren't talented either. They ranked No. 9 in offensive efficiency in college basketball this season, via KenPom.com, with the best 3-point percentage in the nation. The defense was No. 1, and that's obvious any time you watch Houston.

SportsLine's model has made its 2025 NCAA Tournament national championship game picks for Houston Cougars vs. Florida Gators on Monday

The Cougars stunned Duke, outscoring the Blue Devils 15-3 to close their semifinal clash Saturday and win 70-67. L.J. Cryer finished with 26 points to lead Houston to their third title game appearance and first national championship.

California and Florida have for years been the canary in the gold mine for a homeowner insurance crisis that experts warn might soon spread to many more states across the country. The two disaster-prone states,

We know Walter Clayton scored an A+, but what about the other nine starters in the first national semifinal of the 2025 Final Four?