In Houston’s surprising comeback victory over Duke last weekend in the Final Four, the Cougars managed to trail by as much as 14 points with just over eight minutes to go in regulation. On Monday night, they led by up to 12 against Florida in the second half but ultimately lost their lead and suffered a heartbreaking defeat.

The loss denied Houston its first-ever title, with the final possession being particularly agonizing as talented guard Emanuel Sharp mishandled the ball after a pump-fake, leading to a series of turnovers. Houston had no shot attempts in the final minute, with Sharp committing two turnovers during this critical phase.

“FLORIDA IS BACK ON TOP OF THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL WORLD!” — CBS Sports @CBSSports

The match highlighted Houston’s struggles, as they attempted no shots in the dying moments when they needed it the most, something that will surely stick with Coach Kelvin Sampson for an extended period. Sampson expressed his disbelief, insisting it was unfathomable that they couldn’t muster a shot when trailing by just two points.

As for Sharp, he was visibly upset after the loss, finding solace from Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.. Just days prior, Sharp had played magnificently against Duke, scoring 16 points and emerging as a key player. In contrast, he found it hard to make an impact against Florida, reflecting a broader trend of struggle amongst Houston’s guards.

Houston is left to ponder its third title game loss, adding to previous disappointing results in championship settings, including losses to Georgetown and NC State. This season they were also noted for having the most appearances in the Final Four without a national championship.

Despite this setback, Houston is anticipated to start the 2025-26 season as the number one team according to early polls.