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Yes, the 2025 NCAA Tournament Championship is on the line. And yes, Florida basketball has every intention of beating the Houston Cougars and cutting down the nets. But here's the truth: This team doesn't need a national title to validate what it's already done.
The Gators have overachieved, outlasted blue bloods and brought Florida basketball back to national relevance.
In a March Madness run that no one saw coming back in the beginning of the season, the Gators have knocked off UConn, Texas Tech and Auburn to earn their first trip to the NCAA championship game since 2007. Now, they're one win away from their third national title in school history.
And they've done it with a star — Walter Clayton Jr. — who's putting together one of the best NCAA Tournament performances in recent memory.
Clayton scored 34 points in Florida's Final Four win over Auburn, just days after dropping 30 in the Elite Eight. He's the first player since Larry Bird with Indiana State University in 1979 to post back-to-back 30-point games this late in the tournament. Let that sink in.
He's not just Florida's MVP – he's been the best player in this year's March Madness.
Throw in contributions during the win against Auburn in the Final Four from Alijah Martin, Thomas Haugh's game-sealing and-one, and Alex Condon's and Rueben Chinyelu's clutch defense against Johni Broome, and this Gators team looks like an absolute powerhouse.
This is exactly what head coach Todd Golden envisioned when he took the Florida job three years ago. But let's be real: No one expected a Final Four this fast, let alone a shot at the national championship.
Florida wasn't even picked to win the SEC. But now they're on an 11-game win streak, have eliminated top-tier teams and are a slight betting favorite heading into the title game.
Golden's group is fearless. His group is resilient. They've rallied late against UConn, made clutch plays to survive Texas Tech and stormed back in the second half to beat Auburn. Every time the Gators have been counted out, they've responded with toughness and big-time shot-making.
Make no mistake: Houston is no pushover. The Cougars pulled off an insane comeback against the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four, erasing a 14-point deficit in the final minutes. They're battle-tested, physical and coached by Kelvin Sampson, one of the best in the game.
But the Gators have proven it can handle pressure, pace and powerhouse programs. They've taken down the defending champs, a No. 1 overall seed and multiple All-Americans.
They've earned this.
Whether the Florida Gators win the 2025 NCAA Championship or comes up just short, this run has already redefined what Gators basketball means. It's no longer about rebuilding. It's about competing (and beating) with the best teams in college basketball.
The Orange and Blue are setting a new standard. Just like those Billy Donovan days. And with Golden at the helm, it's exciting to see what's in store for this program in the years to come.
Tonight's title game isn't the end of the story–it's the start of something big in Gainesville.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament Championship game between Florida and Houston will be played on Monday, April 7 in San Antonio, Texas. Tipoff is set for 8:50 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on CBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball eyes NCAA Championship after historic run
Continue reading...
The Gators have overachieved, outlasted blue bloods and brought Florida basketball back to national relevance.
In a March Madness run that no one saw coming back in the beginning of the season, the Gators have knocked off UConn, Texas Tech and Auburn to earn their first trip to the NCAA championship game since 2007. Now, they're one win away from their third national title in school history.
And they've done it with a star — Walter Clayton Jr. — who's putting together one of the best NCAA Tournament performances in recent memory.
Walter Clayton Jr. is making NCAA history
Clayton scored 34 points in Florida's Final Four win over Auburn, just days after dropping 30 in the Elite Eight. He's the first player since Larry Bird with Indiana State University in 1979 to post back-to-back 30-point games this late in the tournament. Let that sink in.
He's not just Florida's MVP – he's been the best player in this year's March Madness.
Throw in contributions during the win against Auburn in the Final Four from Alijah Martin, Thomas Haugh's game-sealing and-one, and Alex Condon's and Rueben Chinyelu's clutch defense against Johni Broome, and this Gators team looks like an absolute powerhouse.
Florida Gators basketball is officially back
This is exactly what head coach Todd Golden envisioned when he took the Florida job three years ago. But let's be real: No one expected a Final Four this fast, let alone a shot at the national championship.
Florida wasn't even picked to win the SEC. But now they're on an 11-game win streak, have eliminated top-tier teams and are a slight betting favorite heading into the title game.
Golden's group is fearless. His group is resilient. They've rallied late against UConn, made clutch plays to survive Texas Tech and stormed back in the second half to beat Auburn. Every time the Gators have been counted out, they've responded with toughness and big-time shot-making.
Looking at Florida's matchup with Houston
Make no mistake: Houston is no pushover. The Cougars pulled off an insane comeback against the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four, erasing a 14-point deficit in the final minutes. They're battle-tested, physical and coached by Kelvin Sampson, one of the best in the game.
But the Gators have proven it can handle pressure, pace and powerhouse programs. They've taken down the defending champs, a No. 1 overall seed and multiple All-Americans.
They've earned this.
Final Take: Championship or not, the Gators have already won big
Whether the Florida Gators win the 2025 NCAA Championship or comes up just short, this run has already redefined what Gators basketball means. It's no longer about rebuilding. It's about competing (and beating) with the best teams in college basketball.
The Orange and Blue are setting a new standard. Just like those Billy Donovan days. And with Golden at the helm, it's exciting to see what's in store for this program in the years to come.
Tonight's title game isn't the end of the story–it's the start of something big in Gainesville.
How to watch the 2025 NCAA Tournament Championship
The 2025 NCAA Tournament Championship game between Florida and Houston will be played on Monday, April 7 in San Antonio, Texas. Tipoff is set for 8:50 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on CBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball eyes NCAA Championship after historic run
Continue reading...
