Former Duke basketball player Jay Williams was stunned by his former team's loss in the Final Four. Duke had a 14 point lead with less than nine minutes left in the game, but ended up losing to Houston 70-67.

“I’m sick right now….,” Williams said on X, formerly Twitter.

Williams, a famed basketball broadcaster, also spoke on ESPN about Houston's tenacity. The former Duke star was taken aback by Houston's execution in the final minutes.

“This is probably the worst Duke loss that they have had in a long time,” Williams added. “The collapse, the shrinking, and game pressure is a real thing.”

Williams said Duke's youth and inexperience may have been a factor in why Duke lost.

“Duke didn't give the game away, Houston took the game,” Williams added. “But Duke definitely played a significant part in that.”

Duke's season ends after winning the ACC conference, along with 35 games.

It won't be easy for Jon Scheyer to rebuild Duke basketball

Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after losing to the Houston Cougars in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young with his son Tydus watch the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Oklahoma Sooners at Stegeman Coliseum.
Porter Moser breaks down Trae Young’s new role with Oklahoma basketballScotty White ·
Mar 30, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; LSU Lady Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) reacts after play against the UCLA Bruins during the first half of a Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Spokane Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Flau’jae Johnson, Olivia Miles headline stacked USA Basketball rosterZachary Draves ·
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale
Duke basketball included in 1st-ever Dick Vitale Invitational vs. TexasScotty White ·
Kentucky Wildcats basketball guard Otega Oweh (00) reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Fiserv Forum.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope reveals emotional reaction to Otega Oweh returnRussell Steinberg ·
West Virginia Mountaineers guard and Indiana basketball transfer Tucker DeVries (12) drives to the basket as Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) defends during the second half at Imperial Arena at the Atlantis resort.
Indiana transfer Tucker DeVries gets encouraging injury update after shoulder surgeryRussell Steinberg ·
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo during the second half in the South Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament against the Auburn Tigers at State Farm Arena.
Michigan State HC Tom Izzo fires back at critics of his NIL, transfer portal usageRichard Pereira ·

Duke basketball is always considered a contender for the national championship. That is due to the rich history of the program. Duke's rich history helped them land the best recruiting class in the country heading into this season.

That recruiting class included Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel. All three of those players are likely gone after this year.

It won't be easy to replace them. While Duke will always grab quality blue chip prospects, Flagg truly appears to be a unique talent. He led Duke basketball this season in virtually every stat category despite being a freshman.

Flagg scored 27 points against Houston, and was the team's best option on offense. Duke came up short for several reasons, one being that the Blue Devils couldn't score much in the last ten minutes. Duke had just one field goal during that final stretch.

“There were a lot of times, Duke had a nine point lead, you felt like the lead should have been 18,” Williams added. “Game pressure is a real thing. This was the first time it felt like you were watching a young Duke team finish in a young way down the stretch.”

There is good news for the Blue Devils. Duke has the no. 1 recruiting class in the country yet again, per 247 Sports. Four players are committed to the Blue Devils including five-star prospect Cameron Boozer. Boozer's brother Cayden is also headed to Durham.

Duke basketball fans hope next year brings that first national championship to Coach Scheyer.