The 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four clash between Duke and Houston had all the ingredients of an instant classic-drama, intensity, and controversy.

As the Blue Devils looked poised to book a spot in the national championship, a last-minute foul call on freshman phenom Cooper Flagg turned the game on its head and ignited outrage across the basketball world.

With 19 seconds left on the clock and Duke clinging to a narrow 67-66 lead, guard Tyrese Proctor stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to extend the advantage.

He missed, and in the scramble for the rebound, Flagg leaped over Houston‘s J’Wan Roberts, drawing a whistle from the officials. The foul sent Houston to the line and shifted momentum in the dying seconds of the game.

Replays showed minimal contact, leading to widespread disbelief from fans, analysts, and even NBA players watching from afar. The foul was not just a game-changer-it was a legacy-altering call that cost Duke a trip to the national championship.

NBA players react: ‘That was trash’

Support for Flagg came quickly from across the NBA. Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t hold back, posting on X, “I’m f-ing hot, don’t text me or call me,” summing up the emotional rollercoaster fans had just endured.

Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers guard, echoed the frustration, tweeting, “That over the back call w 20 seconds left was trash tho,” while Orlando Magic star and Duke alum Paolo Banchero posted a heartbroken, “dawg that hurts.”

Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, known for his animated commentary, condemned the officiating: “That was an absolute horrible foul call vs Cooper Flagg. No way. No way.”

His outrage mirrored the sentiment of countless fans and pundits who felt the moment was stolen from one of the brightest young talents in college basketball.

Despite the controversy, Houston sealed a gutsy 67-64 victory, erasing a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes to reach their third national title game. But for many, the conversation remains centered on the whistle that changed everything.

Flagg, who has been projected as the potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, finished the game with a strong all-around performance and showed composure far beyond his years.

While the final call may have marred Duke‘s run, it only further solidified Flagg’s status as a future NBA star-one already earning the respect of the league’s elite.