SAN ANTONIO – The Florida Gators are NCAA champions once again, capturing their third men’s basketball title with a thrilling 65-63 victory over the Houston Cougars on Monday night. After trailing by as many as 12 points, Florida staged a remarkable comeback in the final minutes, making key defensive stops and capitalizing on crucial turnovers to seal the win. This marks Florida’s first national title since 2007 and solidifies Coach Todd Golden’s legacy.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Florida holding the lead for only 64 seconds. Houston’s defense stifled the Gators early, and Florida struggled offensively, especially with star guard Walter Clayton Jr. silenced for much of the game. But as they have all tournament long, Florida refused to quit. A 15-3 run in the second half brought them back into contention, and it all came down to the final moments.
Golden’s Leadership Shines Through
Head coach Todd Golden, who became the youngest coach to win a national title at 39, guided his team to a gritty comeback. Reflecting on the win, Golden praised his team’s resilience: “Our guys knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Down 12 in the second half, we stayed the course—no finger-pointing, no hero ball. That toughness got us the win.”
The Turning Point
The first half saw both teams trading shots, with Florida’s size initially giving them an advantage. However, Houston’s suffocating defense forced nine Gator turnovers. Guard Will Richard kept Florida afloat, scoring 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Clayton was held scoreless until late in the second half.
Houston seemed to have control after building a 12-point lead, but a technical foul on Florida’s bench sparked a change. The Gators, led by Richard and a resurgent Clayton, mounted a comeback. With just 46.5 seconds left, Alijah Martin hit two clutch free throws to give Florida their first lead since the opening minutes.
The Final Play
Houston had one last chance to win, but it ended in heartbreak. With 19 seconds left, the Cougars couldn’t execute their final possession. After Milos Uzan struggled to penetrate the defense, he passed to L.J. Cryer, who then dished the ball to Emanuel Sharp. Clayton, despite struggling with his offense, made a crucial defensive stop, forcing Sharp into a desperate three-point attempt that never got off. The ball bounced away, and Florida’s Alex Condon dove to secure it as the buzzer sounded.
A Heartbreaking Loss for Houston
For Houston, it’s another painful near-miss. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s team, which has now reached three national title games and seven Final Fours, fell short once more. Sampson expressed pride in his team’s effort, but acknowledged that Florida simply made one more play.
“I told our guys to be disappointed in the loss, but not their effort,” Sampson said. “Florida’s a really good team—Coach Golden runs great schemes. We held them to 65 points, and I thought under 70 gave us a shot. They just made one more play than we did tonight.”
Standout Performances
Will Richard was the standout player for Florida, finishing with 18 points and hitting crucial free throws. Clayton, despite struggling offensively, made a game-saving defensive play. For Houston, Sharp’s tenacious defense nearly led to a victory, while Cryer’s 15 points were overshadowed by costly late turnovers.
A Legacy Cemented for Florida
Florida’s victory caps an impressive tournament run, defeating tough opponents like UConn and Texas Tech along the way. As confetti rained down in the Alamodome, Golden and his players celebrated their place in Florida basketball history, a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
For Houston, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, but the Cougars’ future remains bright with the leadership of Coach Sampson.
As for Florida, this victory proves that in March—and April—determination and unity can overcome any obstacle.
