San Antonio’s about to be the center of the college basketball world—and for good reason. Four No. 1 seeds, each with a legit case to cut down the nets, are set to collide in what feels more like a heavyweight title card than a typical Final Four. There’s no Cinderella storyline this time. Just giants.

The Alamodome will host two high-stakes battles stacked with future pros, elite coaching minds, and fanbases that expect nothing less than a title. Whether you're here for the chess match between contrasting styles or the individual stars who could take over, this year’s Final Four has something for everyone.

Final Four Matchup Previews: What to Expect in San Antonio

Florida vs. Auburn

When: Saturday, April 5, 6:09 p.m. ET

Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

Watch: CBS 

These two know each other well, and it’s always interesting when conference rivals clash on the biggest stage. Auburn took the regular-season matchup 90-81, so Florida will be itching for some payback. 

The Gators’ key is undoubtedly Walter Clayton Jr. If he catches fire, watch out. He’s arguably the best guard left in the field, especially with the way he closed out Texas Tech.

But let’s not ignore Auburn’s Johni Broome — he’s the SEC Player of the Year for a reason. If he’s anywhere near the form we saw against Michigan State, Florida’s frontcourt is in for a long night. 

Then again, the Gators’ bruising bigs in Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, and Thomas Haugh can control the glass as well as anyone, meaning second-chance points could pile up if they exploit that advantage.

Add Florida’s habit of pulling off miraculous comebacks and Auburn’s top-tier shot-blocking, and you’ve got a recipe for what could be the best game of the weekend. The Gators might be the scrappier team, but the Tigers bring an impressive efficiency on both ends. 

This one’s got all the makings of a gritty, go-the-distance kind of game. Auburn’s going to have its hands full trying to slow down Walter Clayton Jr., and you just know Florida’s going to have a run in them at some point. The question is whether Auburn can stay calm when that happens—or if Florida lands one of those haymakers that flips everything.

Duke vs. Houston

When: Saturday, April 5, 8:49 p.m. ET

Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

Watch: CBS 

This is the matchup you circle if you love that unstoppable-force-meets-immovable-object storyline. Duke sits at No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency, while Houston proudly holds the top spot in adjusted defensive efficiency. Talk about a collision course.

Then there’s the star power factor: Cooper Flagg is a near-lock to be the NBA’s top pick in the next draft, and you can see why. He’s got the skill set of a modern big who can protect the rim, run the floor, and handle the ball like a guard. His presence alone forces defenses into tough decisions. 

But Houston’s no one-dimensional team. They’re lethal from deep, thanks to LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan, and they boast a defense that can smother even the most high-octane offenses.

Keep an eye on the backcourt duel: Duke’s Sion James and Tyrese Proctor have been quietly dictating tempo and locking up perimeter players all tournament. They’ll have their hands full with Cryer, who’s showing no fear of the big stage, and Uzan, whose sweet stroke can flip the script in a hurry if Duke doesn’t close out quickly. Duke’s also the tallest team in Division I, which means they’ll look to dominate the boards and use their length to disrupt shots.

Don’t underestimate the coaching angle here either. Kelvin Sampson’s been building a powerhouse at Houston, and a national title would cement the Cougars’ place among the elite. Meanwhile, Jon Scheyer’s quick ascent as Duke’s head coach has kept the tradition alive. The big question: Which style wins out — Duke’s free-flowing offense or Houston’s rugged defense?

Big Brands, Bigger Moments

We’ve all seen wild brackets and surprise runs, but not this time. All four No. 1 seeds made it through, something that hasn’t happened since 2008 — and that's the only other time ever. It’s a testament not just to how good these teams have been all year, but also to how they rose to the occasion when it counted most.

Duke’s presence is no shock — they’ve practically made the Final Four their second home over the last few decades. This marks their 18th trip overall, a pretty amazing run that just adds to their long history of being one of the big-time programs in college basketball.

Then there’s the SEC storyline: Two teams from the same conference, Florida and Auburn, both sporting the big, bold “No. 1” in front of their names. The SEC has been on a tear in basketball lately, proving it’s not just a football powerhouse. Having multiple teams in the Final Four for the fifth time really shows how competitive this conference has become. 

And let’s not forget the major redemption arcs in play — Houston hasn’t won a national title in program history, though they’ve come achingly close. With a second Final Four in just four years, it feels like they’re on the cusp of something big. For fans of the Cougars, a championship would be the ultimate validation of Sampson’s work and their transformation into a perennial contender.