by Henry L. Liao
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four will feature some of the most exciting matchups yet, as the Auburn Tigers, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, face off against the Florida Gators, and the Duke Blue Devils, a title favorite, go head-to-head with the Houston Cougars, known for their staunch defense.
The action will take place on Sunday, April 6, Manila time, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and will set the stage for an unforgettable championship battle. The semifinal victors will meet two days later, on Tuesday, for the chance to claim the 2025 national title. The defending champions, the University of Connecticut, will watch the drama unfold after securing back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
One player who is generating a lot of buzz is Cooper Flagg, a rookie standout for Duke University. Flagg, considered the top player in the US collegiate scene this year, is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this coming June. His performance in the tournament has cemented his status as one of the most promising young talents in basketball today. Flagg’s impact on the court could very well be the difference-maker as the Blue Devils pursue another national title.
For basketball enthusiasts, this year’s Final Four is one to remember, as it could feature a new record. Throughout the 87-year history of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, no player has ever recorded a triple-double in a single tournament. The closest any player came was Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who averaged 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 10 assists (unofficially) during Michigan State’s run to the national title in 1979. This performance helped Michigan State defeat Larry Bird and Indiana State in the finals, with Johnson being named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player that year.
However, it’s important to note that assists were not considered an official stat until the 1984-85 season, and steals and blocks were not officially tracked by the NCAA until the 1986-87 season. So, while Johnson’s performance was remarkable, the stats weren’t fully recognized at the time.
One of the most iconic games in NCAA history, the 1979 title match between Michigan State and Indiana State, drew an estimated 35.1 million viewers, a record that still stands as the most-watched NCAA basketball game of all time. Magic Johnson’s leadership and skill were on full display, and it’s a game many fans still fondly remember. For me, it was a special moment, as I had the chance to watch the game on a Betamax copy sent by my brother from the United States.
Interestingly, while no player has officially posted a triple-double in the Final Four, three unofficial triple-doubles have been recorded in NCAA history:
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B.H. Horn (Kansas) vs. Indiana (1968-69, 1953 finals) – 26 points, 15 rebounds, 13 blocked shots
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Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati) vs. Louisville (1959 third-place game) – 39 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists
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Magic Johnson (Michigan State) vs. Pennsylvania (1979 semifinals) – 29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
When it comes to official triple-doubles in the NCAA tournament, Michigan State holds the record with two, both achieved in 2011 and 2012. As for the unofficial records, Cincinnati’s Oscar Robertson tops the list with four, followed closely by Magic Johnson with three.
As we gear up for the Final Four, all eyes will be on the exciting matchups between these powerhouse teams, with many fans hoping for a record-breaking performance in the most prestigious tournament of the year. The stakes are higher than ever as Auburn, Florida, Duke, and Houston battle for glory.
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This is for the record. When the NBA named its 75 greatest players in league history in time for its 75th anniversary several years ago, the list included 76 names.
And several players who earlier made it to the list of the 25 greatest players and 50 greatest were omitted from the most recent list.
Maybe you look happy now but some of those that made it to list of the PBA’s 50 greatest players may find their names obliterated as well a decade from now.
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