Cooper Flagg and Duke celebrate after defeating Alabama to advance to the Final Four.

The NCAA 2025 Tournament witnessed thrilling Elite Eight action as the Duke Blue Devils and the Florida Gators emerged victorious to solidify their spots in the highly anticipated Final Four. Duke managed to overpower Alabama with a decisive 85-65 victory. Despite Alabama's impressive shooting in the Sweet 16, they fell short as Duke's defense and key plays by Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg dominated the game. Analysts noted Duke's depth and talent, highlighting players like Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans who have helped propel the team forward. In contrast, the Florida Gators overcame adversity by rallying from a 10-point deficit to defeat Texas Tech 84-79. The Gators, known for their ability to turn games in their favor with late surges, were led by an outstanding performance from Walter Clayton Jr. His late-game heroics, including crucial back-to-back 3-pointers, were instrumental in Florida's win. The Final Four matchups promise exciting basketball, featuring a clash between SEC rivals Florida and Auburn, as well as a face-off between Duke and Houston. Both Duke and Florida display remarkable star power with Cooper Flagg and Walter Clayton Jr., respectively, driving their successful campaigns. From a broader perspective, the narrative following this year's tournament speaks volumes about the dominance of top-seeded teams. Historically, the tournament has cherished Cinderella stories, but 2025 has been a year of predictable outcomes. The four No. 1 seeds—Duke, Florida, Houston, and Auburn—advanced seamlessly, demonstrating superior skill and experience. As the championship nears, the question remains: can any of these powerhouses oust Duke from its favored position? This analysis has been reviewed by artificial intelligence, bringing an unbiased perspective to recapping the action and evaluating the potential outcomes in the forthcoming Final Four.