The 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four is set to commence at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, from April 5 to April 7. This year marks only the second time in tournament history that all four No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Final Four, a feat previously only achieved in 2008. The semifinal matchups are as follows:
Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers: Saturday, April 5, at 6:09 p.m.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars: Saturday, April 5, at 8:49 p.m.
Both games will be broadcast on CBS and streamed via NCAA March Madness Live and Paramount+.
Team Overviews:
Florida Gators: Returning to the Final Four for the first time since 2014, the Gators have demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament. Despite injuries to key players like Alex Condon, who continues to play through his ailment, Florida remains a formidable contender.
“I would really like to see Florida win,” said freshman Simon Tysse. Many people picked Florida to win the entire tournament and the rooting interest is seemingly because of the bracket challenge.
Auburn Tigers: Making their first Final Four appearance since 2019, the Tigers are led by standout Johni Broome, who, despite injuries, continues to contribute significantly on the court. The team also benefits from the leadership of coach Bruce Pearl and the experience of players like Emanuel Sharp, who brings international experience to the roster.
Duke Blue Devils: With a record of 35-3, Duke enters the Final Four as a dominant force. Under coach Jon Scheyer, the team features standout players such as freshman Cooper Flagg, a projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, and 7-foot-2 inch center Khaman Maluach. Duke’s balanced and collaborative gameplay has led them to win their tournament games by an average of 26 points.
“If Duke won, it would help my bracket, so I’m rooting for them,” said sophomore Michael Mattoon. Again, the bracket is also pushing people to root for Duke.
Houston Cougars: After a Sweet 16 loss to Duke in 2024, Houston’s key players, including L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp, returned for another season, leading to a school-record 34 wins and a spot in the Final Four. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s emphasis on team cohesion has been pivotal to their success.
San Antonio is hosting the Men’s Final Four for the fifth time, with the Alamodome previously serving as the venue in 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2018. The 2025 tournament has been notable for its lack of major upsets, with the Sweet 16 composed entirely of teams from the Power Four conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC), a first since the tournament’s expansion in 1985.
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate whether Duke can maintain its dominance or if another team will emerge victorious in this highly competitive field.
The student body is seemingly balanced in rooting interest, but Duke has been the most popular of the four remaining teams. Both games are sure to be highly entertaining, and the stars are going to need to step up if they want their teams to win.
