March Madness: Reactions to Florida's first-round win vs Norfolk State in NCAA Tournament

[ASFN Admin]

March Madness is now in full gear after the top-seeded Florida Gators prevailed in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, running the No. 16-seeded Norfolk State Spartans out of Lenovo Center by a final score of 95-69.

There was no doubt that Todd Golden's team was the superior squad on Friday night, opening up quickly on a trademark Walter Clayton Jr. 3-point pull-up jumper and taking a dominating early lead. However, the offense sputtered with five minutes remaining in the first half after crossing the 50-point mark, which leaked over into a second-half slump of sorts.

However, the Gators' first-round triumph was never really in peril and the bench was able to soak up the final minute for the team. Clayton ended up finishing with 23 points to lead all scorers while Alijah Martin's 17 was the second-highest tally in the game.

With the win now secured, the members of the Gator Nation and beyond expressed their sentiments on social media as the beloved Orange and Blue continues its journey toward a national title.

Download your March Madness bracket here!

on to the next pic.twitter.com/8d4aZT6P9g

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 22, 2025

THE GATORS WILL KEEP DANCING

(1) Florida earns a convincing 95-69 win over (16) Norfolk State and advance to the second round #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/fEKQNQZQd4

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2025

THE FLORIDA GATORS WILL WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) March 22, 2025

Sunday gon be a real tell all no matter who we play. Game 1/6 Go Gators

— Clifford Taylor IV (@clifftayloriv) March 22, 2025

One down #GoGators

— Jenn (@GoGators712) March 22, 2025

Gators boys stay hot. No cinderella over here

— kirby (@KirbySnead) March 22, 2025

On to the next one.
Go Gators pic.twitter.com/iiciyJkPEr

— GATORCHOMP (@GatorChompXX) March 22, 2025

A win is a win. Stuff to clean up no doubt. Need to be much crisper defensively to move on, especially at the point of attack. Have to play a full 40 minutes, can’t relax.

On to the next, go Gators!

— Noah Seitz (@noahseitz_) March 22, 2025

The #1 Florida Gators dominate the #16 Norfolk State Spartans 95-69!!!!! #GATORNATION

— Anthony Beck (@AceWade1) March 22, 2025

Weird game. Tomorrow’s film session should be a banger.

5 more wins for another banner. That’s the goal. It starts for real on Sunday. #Gators

— Ryan King (@RKingGator) March 22, 2025

No. 1 seed Florida defeats Norfolk State in NCAA men's tournament first round. Gators coach Todd Golden needs team to reach round of 16 to add to his $62,500 in bonuses.

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) March 22, 2025

Alijah Martin for Florida in the Gators' win over Norfolk State:

— 17 PTS
— 2 ASTS
— 2 REBS
— 1 STL
— 5/10 FG
— 2/5 3P
— 5/6 FT#NBADraftpic.twitter.com/CQ6NyteeRm

— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) March 22, 2025

#1 Florida’s Road to the National Title:

R64: #15 Norfolk St. 95-69
R32: #8 UConn / #9 Oklahoma
S16:
E8:
F4:
NC:#Gators#MarchMadness

— Michael Remeikis (@reMIKEis) March 22, 2025

A thing of beauty GO GATORS!! pic.twitter.com/gIZdAbAtIg

— Alexander Dauterive (@Alex_Dauterive) March 22, 2025

Gators win! #NCAApic.twitter.com/0DWSE5Aick

— Gator Girl (@GatorGirl675122) March 22, 2025

Gotta clean up defensively, especially in the paint and not let off the gas. Keep grinding, Go Gators!

— Danny (@DannyRz096) March 22, 2025

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball: Reactions to first-round win in NCAA Tournament

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