Turns out Hakeem Olajuwon is just like the rest of us. Any extended road trip through Texas requires a pit stop at Buc-ee’s. Some University of Houston fans making the three-hour drive to watch their basketball team face Duke in the Final Four on Saturday at the Alamodome got a surprise when they spotted the former Cougars and Rockets star making the same stop as the rest of them at the state’s most famous chain of gas stations.

In recent years, they’ve been dominant, going 159-23 since the start of the 2020-21 season, a stretch highlighted by a pair of Final Four appearances. This season has been perhaps their best yet, with a 34-4 record and Big 12 regular season and tournament championships.

Which roster building process will prove better Saturday night at the Final Four? Duke’s reliance on freshman superstars, or Houston’s deliberate approach to get old and stay old?

SAN ANTONIO — In the modern era of the NCAA Tournament, few teams have played in the Final Four as close to home as the University of Houston will Saturday.

Head coach Kelvin Sampson has encouraged players, particularly Roberts, to ask themselves, "What would Reggie do?"

Shead didn't have to pass the baton but he did with a relationship that exists to this day heading into Saturday's Final Four game against Duke (8:49 p.m. ET on CBS; streaming on March Madness Live or Paramount+).

The FanDuel promo code for Final Four matchups between Florida-Auburn and Duke-Houston will turn a winning $5 first bet into $200 of bonus bets.

The ball is tipped — but three games remain until men’s college basketball receives its one shining moment.