ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF
For the first time in more than a decade, Florida is back in the Final Four. The Gators, led by coach Todd Golden in just his third year at the helm, have authored a March run that’s been equal parts gritty and exhilarating.
Golden is only the third coach in program history to lead Florida to college basketball’s grandest weekend, continuing a tradition of excellence that now spans coaching eras.
It’s a rematch with major implications, as the third-ranked Gators (34-4) prepare to face SEC rival Auburn (32-5) for the second time this season. Back in February, Florida handed then-No. 1 Auburn its first home loss of the year. It was a 90-81 win powered by five double-digit scorers and a marathon 40-minute effort from Walter Clayton Jr. That game marked the beginning of Florida’s transformation from tournament hopeful to national title contender.
March Madness Marvels: How Florida Got Here
In the Elite Eight, the Gators pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback against Texas Tech, erasing a nine-point deficit with under three minutes remaining. Thomas Haugh and Clayton Jr. hit back-to-back 3s before Clayton drilled another pair to give Florida the lead. Down the stretch, the Gators iced the game at the free throw line — where they’ve quietly built a tournament advantage.
That closing stretch encapsulates what makes this Florida team dangerous: no moment is too big, and no deficit too daunting. The Gators are battle-tested, having defeated five top-20 KenPom teams by double digits since the start of March. They also brought the SEC Tournament trophy back to Gainesville for the first time since 2014 after a record-breaking 104-point semifinal performance against Alabama.
The Walter Clayton Jr. Effect
Clayton Jr. isn’t just the engine of this Gator machine — he’s the heart and soul. The First-Team All-American and West Regional Most Outstanding Player is chasing Florida history. With 668 points on the season, he’s just eight shy of the program’s single-season scoring record set by Andy Owens in 1970. His long-range consistency has been record-breaking, too, as he’s now made a 3-pointer in 60 straight games — more than any player in school history.
But Clayton’s impact goes beyond stats. His ability to take over late in games, as seen against UConn and Texas Tech, is the kind of postseason edge that separates title contenders from pretenders. Golden said he leans on his senior trio — Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard — to stay composed and deliver in pressure moments:
Free Throws, Fresh Legs and X-Factors
One of the key takeaways from Florida’s earlier win against Auburn was how much free throws mattered. Fourth-ranked Auburn shot just 61% from the line that night, a mark that proved costly. In the tournament, Auburn has improved at the stripe, but Florida has been rock solid, shooting better than 75% in all but one tournament game. If this national semifinal turns into a foul fest, the Gators are built to survive.
Depth has also been critical for Florida, particularly in the Sweet 16 win against Maryland where the bench exploded for 29 points and dominated the boards. Denzel Aberdeen and Thomas Haugh each chipped in double figures, highlighting the team’s balance beyond its senior core.
Yet, if Florida wants to play on Monday night, it will need a bounce-back performance from 6-foot-11 forward Alex Condon. Against Texas Tech, Condon struggled defending in space and will face a similar challenge against Auburn’s versatile frontcourt. With Tigers like Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams capable of stretching the floor, Condon’s ability to guard the perimeter without fouling could be a game-changer.
Auburn’s Journey: Resilience Behind the Roar
Auburn arrived in Phoenix with its own momentum. Despite stumbling into the tournament with a 1-3 skid, the Tigers have shown they’re still a force. They dispatched Creighton by double digits and overcame Broome’s midgame injury to advance past Michigan in the Elite Eight. Auburn’s physicality, size and length are elite, but so is Florida’s ability to adjust mid-game and finish strong.
The Verdict: Who Reaches the Championship Stage?
These teams know each other well, but this isn’t the same Florida or Auburn squad we saw back in February. It’s a Final Four clash in San Antonio’s Alamodome at 6:09 p.m. (ET) Saturday on CBS and Gainesville ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF and 103.7-FM. It’s one defined by senior leadership, coaching evolution and clutch shot-making. The Gators’ ability to score from multiple levels, convert free throws under pressure and close out games in chaos gives them the edge — especially with Clayton Jr. playing at an all-time high.
Golden credits the team’s collective chemistry and depth — not just individual talent — as the key to their success:
If Auburn can keep it close late, expect fireworks. But if it comes down to composure, the Gators have proven again and again that they’re built for the moment.
Prediction: Florida 84, Auburn 79
The winner will face either No. 1-ranked Duke (35-3) or No. 2 Houston (34-4), which play in Saturday’s late semifinal, for the national championship Monday night.
