March Madness is basically a factory for broken hearts and "what if" scenarios. If you're asking who won between Duke and Houston, the answer depends entirely on which year of the tournament you're thinking about, because these two heavyweights have traded blows in back-to-back postseasons.
In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Duke beat Houston 54–51 in a gritty, defensive Sweet 16 battle that sent the top-seeded Cougars packing earlier than anyone expected.
Fast forward to the 2025 Final Four, and the script flipped in the most heartbreaking way possible for Blue Devil fans. In that rematch, Houston beat Duke 70–67 after a miraculous comeback in the final minute.
It’s rare to see two programs develop such a high-stakes rivalry in just twenty-four months. Honestly, the 2024 game was a masterpiece of "ugly" basketball that Duke fans will cherish forever, while the 2025 game was a testament to Kelvin Sampson’s "culture" at Houston.
The 2024 Sweet 16: How Duke Toppled the #1 Seed
Nobody really gave Duke a chance in the 2024 South Region semifinals. Houston was the No. 1 seed, a physical juggernaut that essentially bullied teams into submission. But on March 29, 2024, in Dallas, the Blue Devils showed a level of toughness that many critics thought Jon Scheyer's squad lacked.
Kyle Filipowski was the anchor. He finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, proving he could bang with the bigs in the paint. But the real story was Jeremy Roach. Roach didn't score a single point in the first half. Not one. Then, he came out in the second half and dropped 14 points, hitting clutch jumper after clutch jumper to keep Duke's head above water.
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Jamal Shead's Injury Changed Everything
You can't talk about who won between Duke and Houston in 2024 without mentioning the moment the game shifted. Houston’s star point guard, Jamal Shead, went down with a severe ankle injury in the first half.
He was the heart of that team.
Without him, the Cougars' offense looked disjointed. They still fought—because that’s what Houston does—but they struggled to find a consistent rhythm against Duke's defense. Duke held Houston to just 51 points, which is almost unheard of for a team of that caliber.
The final moments were a blur of missed free throws and desperate defensive stops. When the buzzer sounded, the Blue Devils had secured a 54–51 victory, advancing to the Elite Eight and leaving the Houston faithful in a state of shock.
The 2025 Rematch: Houston's Revenge in the Final Four
If 2024 was about Duke's grit, 2025 was about Houston’s refusal to die. They met again, this time with a trip to the National Championship on the line. For about 39 minutes, it looked like Duke was going to do it again.
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Cooper Flagg, the generational freshman, was absolutely dominant. He had 27 points and seemed to be the "alpha dawg" Duke needed to return to the mountaintop. With roughly three minutes left, Duke held a nine-point lead.
Then, the wheels fell off.
Houston went on a blistering 11-1 run to end the game. Emanuel Sharp turned into a human torch, and Joseph Tugler came up with a massive tip-slam that silenced the Duke section of the Alamodome.
Why the 2025 Result Was So Shocking
- The Scoring Drought: Duke managed only one field goal in the final 10 minutes.
- LJ Cryer's Leadership: Cryer finished with 26 points, keeping the Cougars close enough to strike when Duke faltered.
- The Final Score: Houston 70, Duke 67.
It was one of the most improbable comebacks in Final Four history. Duke had everything under control until they didn't.
Comparing the Two Matchups
| Stat Category | 2024 Result (Sweet 16) | 2025 Result (Final Four) |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Duke | Houston |
| Final Score | 54–51 | 70–67 |
| Top Scorer | Kyle Filipowski (16) | Cooper Flagg (27) |
| Location | Dallas, TX | San Antonio, TX |
| Key Factor | Jamal Shead Injury | Duke Scoring Drought |
The contrast between these two games is wild. One was a low-scoring defensive slugfest, and the other was a high-octane drama with a legendary collapse.
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What This Rivalry Means Moving Forward
These two games have established a new "blue blood vs. new blood" dynamic in college basketball. Jon Scheyer has proven he can recruit the best talent in the world, while Kelvin Sampson has shown that his defensive system can eventually break even the most talented rosters.
If you're looking for the bottom line on who won between Duke and Houston, keep these dates in mind:
- March 29, 2024: Duke won (54–51) to reach the Elite Eight.
- April 5, 2025: Houston won (70–67) to reach the National Championship.
Moving forward, whenever these two jerseys meet on the court, expect a fight. Duke is leaning heavily into the "one-and-done" superstar model with players like Flagg and Knueppel, while Houston continues to rely on veteran guards and a physical interior presence that wears opponents down over 40 minutes.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Inbounds: If you ever re-watch the 2025 game, pay attention to Duke's struggles getting the ball in play during the final minute. It's a clinic on how defensive pressure can induce panic.
- Respect the Defense: Both games prove that while highlights go to the shooters, the team that controls the glass usually dictates the outcome.
- Check the Brackets: Given their current trajectories, there is a very high probability these two will meet again in the 2026 tournament. Keep an eye on the seedings in the South and East regions.
History is written by the victors, and right now, both schools have a chapter they can be proud of. Duke has the "upset" of the #1 seed in 2024, and Houston has the "miracle" comeback of 2025. It's basically a 1–1 series in the games that actually matter.