Half the thrill of a March Madness game is the crowd. Supporters from both ends going at it, backing their teams until the very last second because anything can happen, and it felt odd not to hear the uproar in one of the biggest games of the year.

This sentiment was shared by one of the fans watching the Alamodome game. “Why are they quieting the crowd in big games?” They asked on X, stating that nobody wants to hear the commentary over the energy and volume of the crowd.

Dampening the crowd’s energy is definitely a dubious decision for CBS. They’re cutting the thrill and excitement of watching a March Madness game in full bloom. Duke versus Houston is a tough matchup, but it also has a lot on the line. Cooper Flagg has had a phenomenal year so far, and a championship would truly cap it off in style as the six-foot-nine forward looks to pursue his NBA dreams. But Houston can pose a huge problem for the Blue Devils, and here’s why!

Houston defense poses huge problem for Blue Devils in Alamodome

There’s no doubt that Houston is a powerhouse, but it’s not like every other team in the country. Kelvin Sampson has constructed a team that will play according to his ideology, and so far? It has been working wonders. But what’s their secret? What has gotten Sampson’s Cougars to the Final Four?

To put it simply, Houston’s defense is elite. And when we mean elite, it’s arguably the best defense in the country. According to KenPom’s defensive rating, which is based on points allowed per 100 possessions, Sampson’s team is at the top. They pick up their matchups full-court, and their motor just never seems to fizzle out.

With Duke, this could pose a serious problem. They run their offense primarily through Cooper Flagg and perimeter players like Knueppel and Evans. Houston has the defensive ability to shut down their entire offense, force Flagg away from the paint, and force long-twos for Duke. And if they manage to do that? It’s anybody’s game at that point.

Jon Scheyer has a finals appearance in the palm of his hand, it will be interesting to see if he can muster up enough offense to counteract Houston. Can Cooper Flagg make history? Or will Houston throw a wrench in Duke’s plans? For Flagg, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, this was likely his last college game, and for Sampson, it’s a step toward Houston’s first title since 1984—stakes that deserved the Alamodome’s full-throated energy, not a dampened feed. Stay tuned for all the action!