Houston's LJ Cryer has a chance to become the first player to win the NCAA title at two schools. Cryer was a spot-duty freshman for Baylor when the Bears won the championship in 2021 amid a bubbled tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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College basketball experts reveal 2025 NCAA March Madness Final Four score predictions and national semifinal picks for Houston vs. Duke and Auburn vs. Florida

As Houston prepares for what should feel like a home game for the national title, here’s a look back at teams that played for a championship close to home.

The teams wrap up a front-runner’s Final Four that featured all No. 1 seeds but ends with the two top ones — Auburn and Duke — at home.

College basketball experts reveal 2025 NCAA March Madness score predictions and national championship picks for Houston vs. Florida

Florida basketball and Houston will meet for the NCAA Tournament title on Monday as two programs with contrasting styles and coaches. Here's a breakdown:

SportsLine expert Thomas Casale has revealed his Florida Gators vs. Houston Cougars picks for the 2025 NCAA Tournament championship game on Monday

The 6-foot-3 redshirt junior guard had 16 points — including a critical 3-pointer with 33 seconds left — as the Cougars rallied to beat Duke. Sharp has the green light to shoot and is tough to defend on the perimeter thanks to a quick-release that makes him one of the top 3-point shooters in the country.