The Battle of Giants: Who Will Walk Out the 2025 Final Four Victorious?

For the first time since 2008, the Final Four of March Madness comprises only the top overall seeds. It features a highly anticipated SEC rematch between the Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers and a powerhouse match between the Duke Blue Devils and Houston Cougars. For the first time in the KenPom era, the four highest-ranked teams have reached the Final Four. This is no surprise, with the 2025 tournament being one of the most dominant performances of top seeds in recent history, setting up a battle of giants.

The last time these two giants faced off, the Gators controlled the entire game winning 90-81, even stretching the lead to 21 at one point. Florida’s balanced offensive approach was the key to not only that victory but also their season-long dominance. Similarly, Auburn has a multitude of players who can score, with five players averaging double-digit figures. However, with higher stakes and both teams being battle-tested, the stage is set for a thrilling battle.

This game will be a war in the trenches of the paint. Auburn’s strong interior play, led by Wooden Award candidate Johni Broome, has been one of their calling cards all season. Broome has impressively averaged 17.3 points per game and 13.3 total rebounds this March. However, his awkward shoulder injury against the Michigan State Spartans will be a major talking point all week. Florida’s big rotation of Alex Condon, Reuben Chinyelu, and Thomas Haugh have the daunting task of containing Broome, while effectively playing inside-out on offense. The Gators have proved to be an effective interior presence all season, holding opponents to 40% shooting inside. Both teams have a variety of perimeter threats that’ll play key roles in winning this game. Miles Kelly and Denver Jones, who both average over three threes a game, will need to knock down their shots. Walter Clayton Jr’s dominant season has transitioned over to March, winning the region’s Most Outstanding Player honors. He’s averaged 22.3 points a night of an incredible 45.2% from beyond the arc. Slowing him and other Florida guards such as Alijah Martin and Will Richard will be imperative for Auburn. Additionally, their secondary scorers in Tahaad Pettiford and Chad Baker-Mazara will need to continue their high-level play.

Meanwhile, on the opposing side of the bracket, Houston and Duke will go head-to-head in a highly anticipated clash of giants. As usual, Duke has been college basketball’s public enemy number one, after a commanding regular season led by the Freshmen trio of Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Kneuppel. Duke’s played composed, smart, and physical basketball all season, displaying crisp actions on the offensive side and in-your-face, versatile defense. The experienced Cougars have played their usual brand of basketball, utilizing their high-flying athletes to play aggressive defense and slow down the game, including an Elite Eight performance where they limited the Tennessee Volunteers to just 50 points, with only 15 in the first half. However, the big difference with this year’s Houston team is their ability to knock down threes, shooting 39.7% from long range. Both teams are coming in red hot off blowout victories, looking to continue their runs. 

All eyes will be on the anticipated number-one pick Cooper Flagg. He’s established himself as one of, if not the best player in the country, putting together one of the best freshmen campaigns of all time with averages of 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 stocks a game. While containing him on either end seems improbable, Houston will have to contain Duke’s role players. Kneuppel and Maluach have both put together incredible March runs, but Houston has the defensive pieces in J’Wan Roberts, Jojo Tugler, and Ja’Vier Francis to make the game murky for the freshmen. Tyrese Proctor played his best basketball in the first weekend of March and will be an x-factor in Duke’s game plan. Despite not being the most physically intimidating, Emmanuel Sharp and LJ Cryer have led the charge for the Cougs, harassing anyone they’ve matched up with and running the offense. The two haven’t shot the three-ball as well, shooting a combined 22 for 59 this postseason. Milos Uzan has stepped up big time, displaying a great feel for the game, making sharp off-ball cuts, and playing in between gaps. The game will come down to who proves to adapt to their opponent's intense physicality and control the tempo.