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The Florida Gators are storming into the national championship game with momentum squarely at their back. After outlasting SEC rival Auburn 79-73 in a nail-biting Final Four game Saturday in San Antonio’s Alamodome, the Gators have punched their ticket to the title game for the fourth time in program history.
Coach Todd Golden said it feels incredible to be on the brink of coaching a national championship team. He credited his players and staff for their unwavering support of one another, saying that’s what drives the team’s success:
Florida Riding High Behind Clayton’s Historic Run
Senior All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. continues to etch his name into March Madness lore. He poured in a career-high 34 points against the Tigers — his second consecutive 30-point performance in the tournament — to become the first player to accomplish that feat in the Elite Eight and Final Four since Larry Bird in 1979. Clayton has now racked up a staggering 156 points across six NCAA Tournament games, averaging 26 points per outing. That total puts him seventh all-time in Florida’s tournament scoring history — and he’s done it in fewer games than anyone else in the top 10. When asked if he feels pressure to have a standout game, he said he doesn’t overthink it and just lets the game come to him:
But it’s not just the numbers. It’s the timing. Florida (35-4) erased a nine-point second-half deficit with an 11-0 run midway through the half, part of a gritty performance that featured 15 lead changes and 10 ties. Alijah Martin added 17 points and surpassed the 2,000-point career mark, while big man Rueben Chinyelu anchored the glass with a game-high nine rebounds. Florida finished with a 39-30 edge on the boards, flexing their muscle in the paint yet again.
The Gators, winners of 11 straight and 17 of their last 18, are now tied for the second-most wins in a single season in school history. They’ve built their streak on offense, averaging 89.5 points per game during the run and notching their 11th win over a ranked opponent this season — nine of which have come against top-12 teams.
Houston’s Late Surge Puts Cougars Back On Title Stage
While third-ranked Florida brings the firepower, second-ranked Houston (35-4) counters with toughness and lockdown defense. The Cougars clawed their way back from a 14-point hole to stun top-ranked Duke, 70-67, in their Final Four matchup late Saturday. L.J. Cryer was the closer, finishing with 26 points and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch to seal it.
Houston’s calling card? Defensive suffocation. The Cougars held Duke (35-4) to just one made field goal in the final 10-plus minutes and neutralized freshman phenom Cooper Flagg’s last-second attempt to steal the game. That type of closeout ability has defined this Kelvin Sampson-led team all year.
Houston leans heavily on perimeter shooting. It knocked down 10-of-22 from beyond the arc in their national semifinal win and are hitting nearly 40% from 3 on the season. While the Cougars don’t attack the rim at a high rate, they make up for it with physicality and timely second chances — like Joseph Tugler’s massive offensive board in the final minute against the Blue Devils.
This marks Houston’s third appearance in the national championship game, and it is looking to bring home the program’s first title after runner-up finishes in 1983 and 1984.
Key Matchups And What To Watch
This title bout may come down to the margins: rebounding, perimeter defense and shot-making under pressure. Both teams crash the offensive glass with relentless energy — Florida ranked top five nationally in offensive rebounding percentage most of the season, while Houston hovers near the top 10.
Perimeter defense will be at a premium. Florida defeated Auburn (32-5) for the second time this season by limiting the Tigers to 7-of-25 from deep and ranks in the top 10 nationally in opponent 3-point percentage. Houston, meanwhile, is similarly stingy, holding opponents to just 30% from long range and boasting a top-five defense inside the arc.
But the wild card is Clayton. With school records already in hand — including Florida’s single-season scoring mark and most points in an NCAA Tournament — he’s become the breakout star of March Madness. If he stays hot, the Gators have the edge. But if Houston’s defense finds a way to contain him and forces Florida into contested jumpers, the Cougars could grind out another close one.
Tip-off Details
National Championship
San Antonio’s Alamodome
Monday| 8:50 p.m. EDT | CBS, ESPN Gainesville 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF and 103.7-FM.
(1) Florida vs. (1) Houston
It’s power vs. poise. Fireworks vs. fortitude. One last battle to decide who cuts down the nets.
Immediate reaction from Micah Handlogten after making it to the NCAA Championship
He credits Walter Clayton Jr. for the team’s success in the second half
[Walt during halftime]: “don’t think, don’t listen to anything that anyone’s telling you to do. Play your game.” pic.twitter.com/PCNdiHZVkj— Talia Baia (@talia_baia) April 6, 2025
