As the Final Four clash between Houston and Duke reached its dramatic final seconds, all eyes were on Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom had one last shot to push the Blue Devils into the championship game. But standing in his way was Houston forward J'wan Roberts, and Roberts wanted it that way.
According to The Athletic, when Duke called a timeout to draw up their final play, Roberts made an unusual and bold request in the Houston huddle: he didn't want any help. He was ready to take on Flagg one-on-one.
I knew where the ball was going to," Roberts later said. "You're not gonna stop him from shooting, but you can make it as difficult as possible.
And that's exactly what he did.
Duke's collapse, Houston's statement
Duke had held a 14-point lead earlier in the game, but Houston stormed back in the second half. With under 15 seconds left, the Blue Devils were down just one point and had possession. The game came down to a single possession-and a single defender.
Flagg, known for his elite scoring and poise, dribbled from the wing to the free-throw line. He rose for a turnaround jumper over Roberts, but the shot fell short. Houston secured the rebound, and with it, the victory.
What started as a coronation run for Duke and Flagg quickly turned into one of the most stunning collapses in recent NCAA tournament memory.
The gamble that paid off
Houston's decision to leave Roberts alone on Flagg may have seemed risky. After all, Flagg is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. But Roberts' confidence and physicality turned the matchup in Houston's favor.
Now, with the 70-67 win behind them, the Cougars are headed to the national championship game against Florida. And while the spotlight may have been on Flagg all season, it was Roberts who shined brightest when it mattered most.
Sometimes, all it takes is one defender who believes he can stop the unstoppable.