Houston vs. Duke Same-Game Parlay Picks: Can Tyrese Proctor, Milos Uzan Shine in San Antonio at Final Four?
In the night cap of the Final Four, a pair of No. 1 seeds square off as Duke looks to continue its dominance in college basketball against Houston. Can the Cougars defense slow down what has been a prolific offense led by future No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg? Here's a Houston vs. Duke same-game parlay from Charlie DiSturco to enjoy the Final Four action!
Charlie DiSturco - April 5, 2025, 4:30 PM EDT
6 minHouston vs. Duke Same-Game Parlay Picks: Can Tyrese Proctor, Milos Uzan Shine in San Antonio at Final Four?
In the night cap of the Final Four, a pair of No. 1 seeds clash as Duke (-5.5) takes on Houston. The Blue Devils have looked unstoppable through their region, having won by double digits in three of four. Houston, meanwhile, has had to stave off upset-hungry teams along the way, including Gonzaga and Purdue. The Cougars were able to make a statement in the Elite Eight however, with a 19-point win over Tennessee.
Can Houston’s elite defense slow down Duke, or will the Blue Devils’ elite offense remain on top? Without further ado, here’s my same-game parlay for the Final Four matchup between Duke and Houston!
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Houston vs. Duke Odds
- Moneyline: Houston +225, Duke -250
- Spread: Houston +4.5 (-110), Duke -4.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 136.5 (-115), Under 136.5 (-105)
Houston vs. Duke Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Game Time: 8:49 PM ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Click here for latest Houston vs. Duke Odds
Houston vs. Duke Same-Game Parlay
Leg 1: Sion James 3+ Assists (+145)
I wrote about backing Braden Smith against this staunch Houston defense and the same reasoning carries over for Sion James.
While Cooper Flagg will run the show for Duke, it’s actually James who is second on the team in assists. This is a well-balanced offense and every single player can create off the dribble. But James’ veteran presence and unselfishness should be a huge plus against this Houston defense.
The Cougars love to double team the ball handler off screens and force opposing offenses into quick passes and oftentimes bad decisions. However, it also leads to plenty of 3s and assist opportunities. James is a physical guard and the Blue Devils could rely on him here to help move the ball around and combat the Houston toughness.
In general, Houston ranks outside the top 300 in both 3PA/FGA and assist rate on defense. Nearly 60% of all field goals made against the Cougars comes via assist. Usually it’s a low-scoring game, but we just saw Smith erupt for 15 assists on 21 made field goals for Purdue. Zakai Ziegler also had five assists on 15 made field goals, for what it’s worth.
There are few offenses similar to Duke’s that Houston has seen, and we’ve seen struggles at times. Texas Tech, Alabama and Auburn all hung 70+ points, and even Gonzaga gave the Cougars a run of their money in a high-scoring Round of 32 affair.
James plays about two-thirds of the game and should see consistent playing time if he avoids foul trouble. Given Houston’s defensive scheme and James’ success rate in general – 3+ assists in 20 of his last 30 games, 67% – and I like starting off this same-game parlay with a little plus-money boost.
Leg 2: Tyrese Proctor 4+ 3PM (+240)
This one is a perfect complement to Sion James and again, attacks this Houston defense that forces a lot of 3-point attempts.
Just look at the last couple of games against the Cougars. Tennessee shot six more 3s than 2s in the Elite Eight. Purdue? Two more.
Being able to take on the double team and cleanly pass the ball out will be key here and should lead to plenty of catch-and-shoot opportunities. Tyrese Proctor has taken the most 3s this season for Duke and is a huge x-factor for the Blue Devils in this one.
Just look at his recent game log. In the last five alone, Proctor has made 6+ 3s in three of those games. He is in great form and with Duke expected to take more shots from the perimeter, I’m willing to take an alt line here on Proctor.
When attempting eight or more 3s in a game, Proctor has connected on 4+ in 7-of-8 games. With this Houston defense allowing nearly 45% of all field goal attempts from deep, it would not surprise me to see Proctor reach double-digit attempts here.
Leg 3: Milos Uzan Over 12.5 points (-115)
For Houston to end up having a chance against Duke here, Milos Uzan needs to show up. The Oklahoma transfer has made life after Jamal Shead more bearable for the Cougars and has really stepped up this season, taking a significant third-year leap.
Since the calendar turned to March, Uzan has been a scoring machine. He has scored 13+ points in five of his last seven games and has really found his 3-point stroke. In Big 12 play alone, Uzan ranked ninth in offensive rating, per Kenpom. This season he is shooting 44.5% from 3. That’s 15% higher than last year with OU.
The reason why I like Uzan over LJ Cryer here is Uzan’s ability to create off the dribble. He is a physical guard that does not shy away from contact. Cryer is much more an off-ball shooter that has battled inconsistencies at times (2-for-13 vs. Purdue, most recently). If his 3 ball is not working, it’s hard for Cryer to do damage.
Uzan on the other hand, is a downhill attacker. So long as he stays out of foul trouble, he should be playing nearly the entire game. Duke’s interior presence with the elite defensive play of Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach will put more of a strain on Houston’s backcourt.
I expect Uzan to find himself with the ball late in the shot clock early and often. The length of Duke can at times be overpowering, but Uzan should be able to create enough offense against this backcourt.
Houston vs. Duke Same-Game Parlay (+1100) (Bet $25 to Collect $300)
- Leg 1: Sion James 3+ Assists (+145)
- Leg 2: Tyrese Proctor 4+ 3PM (+240)
- Leg 3: Milos Uzan Over 12.5 points (-115)
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