SAN ANTONIO – The University of Florida Gators have reclaimed their status at the pinnacle of college basketball by winning the NCAA championship, thrilling a packed audience of 66,602 at the Alamodome on Monday night. The Gators staged another remarkable comeback, edging out the University of Houston with a nail-biting score of 65-63.
The game began with the Cougars dominating the Gators, resulting in the lowest-scoring first half of a men's national title game since 2011. This strategic approach was characteristic of Houston, guided by Coach Kelvin Sampson, who is famed for his robust defensive tactics and physical style of play. The Gators found themselves trailing by as much as 12 points before they could initiate a comeback.
With just seven minutes remaining in the game, the Gators ramped up their high-octane offense, gradually closing the gap on the Cougars. Walter Clayton Jr., who had been held scoreless at halftime, ignited the team with an impressive drive to the rim, marking his first basket with eight minutes left in the second half. This pivotal moment set the stage for Florida’s resurgence.
As the clock wound down, the Gators took their first lead since an early 8-6 advantage, pulling ahead with just 46 seconds left in the game. Their tenacious defense forced a crucial turnover on Houston's next possession, followed by a clutch free throw that sealed the victory. Despite only leading for a little over a minute during the championship match, the Gators’ grit and determination shone through in the final moments.
This victory was a collective effort, with Will Richard leading the scoring with 18 points and Alex Condon contributing 12 points. Clayton, who had previously dominated in earlier tournament games, finished with 11 points and was honored as the Most Outstanding Player. Reflecting on his slow start, Clayton emphasized the team's depth: “We've got multiple guys that can go get a bucket and do anything. My team helped me hold it down until I was able to go get a bucket.”
This championship marks the Gators' third NCAA men's basketball title, following their consecutive victories in 2006 and 2007. Notably, former coach Billy Donovan, who led the team to those previous titles, was present at the game, celebrated for his upcoming induction into the 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class.
Gators' current coach, Todd Golden, at just 39 years old, made history as the youngest men's basketball coach to win an NCAA title since Jim Valvano of North Carolina State in 1983. After the game, Golden proclaimed, “We have the best backcourt in America. The best front court in America. We all love each other. We all play for each other.”
The Florida Gators, a No. 1 seed, were part of a historic moment for the Southeastern Conference, which saw a record 14 teams compete in the men's tournament this year. Their triumphant return to the top of college basketball is a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and dedication. NPR's Russell Lewis contributed reporting to this exhilarating story.
