The nation’s top offense meets the toughest defense in a Final Four showdown Saturday night in San Antonio. Duke, dominating the tournament with high-scoring performances, enters as a 5.5-point favorite over Houston at Sportsbook.
Houston vs Duke Odds
Matchup Page: Houston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils, Apr. 5, 8:49 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Cougars | +4.5 (+100) | +190 | O136.5 (-110) |
| Duke Blue Devils | -4.5 (-122) | -235 | U136.5 (-110) |
Odds as of April 2, 2025 at Sportsbook
Houston vs Duke preview & picks
Duke entered the Big Dance as the clear favorites to win the national championship and has lived up to that expectation, with no one questioning their talent throughout the tournament. The Blue Devils have been explosive, averaging 91.7 points per game over the first four rounds, upholding their reputation as KenPom’s top-ranked offense. What makes Duke so dangerous is that Wooden Award favorite, Cooper Flagg, isn’t its only threat.
Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach have both hit double digits in their last two games, while Tyrese Proctor has also joined in on the fun after a 17 point night against Alabama in the Elite Eight.
Since the Sweet Sixteen, Houston has yet to give up more than 60 points, proving why it's the top rated defense per KenPom. However, Duke isn’t far behind on that end of the floor, ranking inside the top five in scoring defense allowing just 62.6 points per game. I'm backing the Blue Devils balanced depth to overcome the Cougars here.
Houston vs Duke Pick: Duke -4.5 (-122)
*picks made as of Wednesday, April 2 at 1:30 pm ET
Houston vs Duke Prop Bet: Kon Knueppel 15+ Points (-104) at Sportsbook
There's no undermining Cooper Flagg's worth to his team. But, Kon Knueppel has done everything Jon Scheyer has needed him to do—and then some. The freshman has produced 41 points across his last two matchups. When Flagg was limited to 16 points against No. 2 Alabama, Knueppel rallied 21 points, his best mark of the tournament, to pair alongside his five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Do I think he'll run into a bit more shooting trouble against this Cougars defensive core? For sure. But, do I also think 15 points is doable considering his recent hunger and performances? Definitely.
Houston vs Duke Betting Trends
- The OVER hit in 10 of Duke's last 14 games as a favorite (O136.5 Pts, -110 at Sportsbook)
- Duke is 4-1 (80.0%) ATS in its last 5 games as a favorite (DUKE -5.5, -104 at Sportsbook)
