The Houston Cougars, having defied expectations, defeated the Duke Blue Devils in a thrilling semifinal match, which sets the stage for a showdown against fellow top seed Florida Gators in the upcoming NCAA Tournament Championship. Houston (35-4), boasting an impressive 18-game winning streak, triumphed in a close 70-67 matchup against Duke, while Florida (35-4) overcame an eight-point deficit to beat Auburn 79-73.

Tipoff for this highly anticipated game is set for 8:50 PM ET on CBS, with Florida currently favored by 1.5 points according to the latest odds from SportsLine.

As you prepare for the game, make sure to check out the predictions from our seasoned experts, Thomas Casale, with a record of 61-38, and Bruce Marshall, who is riding a remarkable 105-73-1 streak.

Top Predictions for the National Championship Game

Casale suggests Houston will narrowly outpace Florida, noting, “This is a close matchup on paper.” He emphasizes Florida’s ball-handling issues, with 69 turnovers in five games, hinting that if Houston capitalizes on those mistakes, it could spell trouble for the Gators.

For detailed predictions and insights, visit SportsLine for expert analyses and exact score predictions on the game.