‘Choking dog losers’: Dave Portnoy attacks Duke after disputed Final Four finish blows $193k winning bet

Duke’s March Madness dream came to an end in the Final Four as Houston staged an incredible comeback to win the national title.

On Saturday night, the Cougars defeated the Blue Devils 70-67 by scoring nine points in 33 seconds, ending Cooper Flagg’s collegiate career.

Houston upset Duke and reached the championship game for the first time since 1984. Credit: Getty.

Houston had been on the verge of a national championship game for over 40 years, but had lost seven consecutive Final Fours, the most of any DI school in the NCAA entering the 2025 tournament.

And with three minutes left in the game against the Blue Devils, the Cougars were on the verge of eight points, trailing 64-55 with 2:15 remaining.

Nonetheless, with a 3-pointer, a no-room-to-breathe defense, and a little luck, Houston ended their Final Four losing run with a remarkable 11-1 comeback to reach their first championship game since 1984.

Duke’s March Madness was not expected to conclude this way.

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With Cooper Flagg, the anticipated No.1 choice in the 2025 NBA Draft, and a star-studded lineup, the Blue Devils were expected to win the tournament.

In a men’s Final Four featuring all No. 1 seeds, the Blue Devils received more bets and money to win the championship than any other school.

Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports placed an especially large bet on Duke in the form of a four-pick parlay.

He instructed Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp to shoot three or more three-pointers – check.

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Portnoy also predicted Kon Knueppel to score 15 or more points – check.

He said Flagg will plummet more than 20 points – check.

Flagg scored 27 points, and Duke was defeated in the Final Four. Credit: Getty.

Barstool founder Portnoy has a lot of money riding on the game. Credit: Getty.

All Portnoy needed was Duke to win to make his $25,000 wager worth $193,750.

But the Blue Devils fell short, dashing his expectations.

“That’s crazy,” a surprised Portnoy said as he saw the Cougars pull off an unexpected triumph.

He then resorted to social media to call Duke ‘choking dog losers’.

“That has to go down as one of the greatest chokes in history of sports,” he wrote on X.

“Congrats, Duke. You will always be known as “choking dog losers.”

Duke were favored to win the tournament until they fell out in the Final Four. Credit: Getty.

🤢🤢🤢 pic.twitter.com/pnPuH3LM3S

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 6, 2025

He also took aim at supporters who blamed the defeat on Flagg’s late call.

With seconds left, the 18-year-old was called for an over-the-back foul on a free throw attempt, which many think influenced the game’s outcome.

Replays revealed little contact, and social media exploded with fans and commentators both criticizing the officiating.

“That was an absolutely awful foul call on Cooper Flagg. No way. “No way,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith wrote on X.

However, Portnoy remained unconvinced.

“Duke fans complaining about this foul call are babies,” he added, posting a video of the event.

“You blew it. You could not inbound the ball. You dribbled it from your leg. Tyrese Proctor played hero ball and missed a free shot.

“A million opportunities to clinch it, and you’re going to criticize the referee? Losers speak to losers.”

If Duke had won, the Barstool founder might have made $25,000 into more than $193,000. Credit: X@stoolpresidente.

Duke hasn’t won the men’s NCAA Tournament since 2015. Credit: Getty.

“I hate Duke,” he wrote on Sunday.

Houston, which has never won a national championship, will face Florida on Monday night after defeating Duke in the Final Four.

The Gators, led by Walter Clayton Jr., defeated Auburn 79-73 in the early game.

Flagg’s post-game news conference was likely his last as a Blue Devil, as he seemed devastated and fought back tears.

Five-star Duke commit responds to significant announcement prior to freshman season

Under the guidance of head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff, the Duke Blue Devils experienced yet another prosperous college basketball season.

In the NCAA Tournament, Duke emerged victorious in four games, defeating Alabama, Arizona, Baylor, and Mount St. Mary’s.

Nevertheless, the Blue Devils were unable to secure a national championship appearance as they were defeated by Houston in the Final Four, bringing an end to their season.

The subsequent cohort of players is anticipated to arrive on campus as Scheyer and his colleagues at Duke prepare the Blue Devils for their third consecutive Final Four appearance.

Blue-chip recruit Nikolas Khamenia is among the incoming players. He was recently included in the final rankings list of 247Sports’ basketball post.

Khamenia is the No. 15 overall athlete and the No. 3 small forward in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports..

Khamenia expressed his opinions subsequent to the 247Sports five-star rankings announcement.

Blessings,” Khamenia stated.
–
Nikolas Khamenia, Instagram

Khamenia has recently completed his final season of competition at Harvard-Westlake.

He will be joining Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils, where he will be playing alongside two of the most talented recruits in the country: Cameron Boozer, a five-star power forward, and Cayden Boozer, a four-star point guard.

Khamenia was the subject of considerable interest from prestigious programs, including Gonzaga, UCLA, Arizona, and North Carolina, prior to agreeing to attend Duke.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer.
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Duke’s Blue Devils concluded their most recent season with a 35-4 record. A freshman trio of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach led them to victory in the ACC Tournament.

Now, Khamenia and his class will seek to take up where they left off and lead Duke back to the Final Four