Gators Glamp Down Cougars late to win the title NCAA

San Antonio – How were the Florida Gators going to face the best rated, tenacious defense and the intimidation of the second-ranking cougars? It was one of the main stories for the match for the title of the NCAA tournament on Monday evening.

It turned out that the question was formulated behind.

It was the defense of the Gators which overthrew the script – and the dashboard – by entering a second half gathering of a dozen points to stun the cougars 65-63 in a national final with white scabies, at the end of the last second, which had more than 68,000 at the Alamodom at the edge of their headquarters. When the final, the frantic seconds moved away, UF, third row had filled an unlikely victory for victory – yes, another – for the third national title in the history of the program and first since the fact of making the 2006-07.

They did it in the third season under the coach Todd Goldenwhich not only restored the program to the national importance established two decades ago by the temple of renown Billy Donovan, but has become the youngest coach to win a national championship since Jim Valvano of the North Carolina State in 1983. And although little outside the Florida family would have predicted the game to exceed Golden. And that they could play – and win – any type of game.

Even against a defense, by all metrics (and reputation) were one of the best in university basketball in recent memory.

“We had a lot of credit for our offense because we were so explosive all year round,” said Golden. “But that’s what makes this team special. We can win in different ways and we showed it again tonight.”

Cut it pic.twitter.com/a2lgsdu9io

– Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@gatorsmbk) April 8, 2025

UF Guard of fifth year Alijah Martin Hit two free throws with 46.5 seconds to do to give your team its first advance in the game for the match. Houston had two chances in the last half -minute to move forward, but Florida forced reversals on the two possessions – one by senior guard Will Richardthe second by the second year student Alex Condon – This prevented the cougars of the same time during their winning potential journeys.

“I only do by these last two goods,” said a dark coach of Houston, Kelvin Sampson, after the sequence of 18 consecutive victories of his team with the second defeat since December and the first in regulations since November 9. “Incomprehensible, in this situation, we could not get a blow.”

Florida would not leave them.

In a night when the senior playmaker Walter Clayton Jr. was limited to only 11 points out of three goals on the field and was the focal point of the Houston defensive match plan, Richard intensified and opened the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Condon collected 12 points, seven rebounds and four interceptions. The Gators (36-4) ended the season on a sequence of 12 consecutive victories, including two victories back in the Final Four against a pair of N ° 1 tournament seeds which were classified in the first four of Associated Press survey. The UF joined nine years in the second half on Saturday evening to defeat the champion of the regular season of the Southeast Conference Auburn, team n ° 4 of the country.

The victory was Florida’s fifth victory this season during the two -digit train. And they led him for a minute, three seconds.

“This goes back to what extent we are connected as a team,” said Richard, who kept his team at a time of strike during his first half’s struggles against the UH defense by reaching four points at 3 points. “I have the impression that we have not left. I feel like there is time on the clock, if we take possession in possession … I just like our resilience and how we fight through adversity throughout the game (takes over).”

It was almost the request in it.

Houston’s defense maintained opponents at 58.5 points per game this season and prospered to force the reversals. On Monday, cougars defended 38.2% in total and 30.3% compared to the line of 3 points. It was a main scenario here in recent days – especially after the shocking rally of the cougars from nine down with two minutes to play on Saturday evening to oust Duke, and the cougars played throughout the match, holding UF only 39.6% for the match and only six brands out of 24 arc attempts.

But the Gators kept at 34.8% for the match, including 31% after half-time when they also forced seven reversals and during a section kept the cougars aimlessly on the field for nine consecutive possessions to set up the return. Against a UH team which had only four reversals in the first 34 minutes, UF forced five in the 3:24 finals, including in the last 91 seconds when the cougars have scored a single point.

“It goes back to what we have done all season,” said Martin. “We have never blocked eyes.”

During the first five tournament games on his team, Clayton collected an average of 24.6 points and pulled almost 48% out of 3. At halftime, he was aimed after having missed the four strokes that he was able to remove against the stifling and blissant balls. However, he collected five assists.

“My motto,” we can all go there “, said Clayton. “I understand that if it’s not my night, someone will come and get me.”

What a return! Congratulations to Walter Clayton, Jr. and Florida Gators for their third national title. It was a fun team to watch. https://t.co/pb0dt309tc

– Barack Obama (@barackobama) April 8, 2025

The score was equal to 21 years old in first half when Houston made a series of eight consecutive points, with 3 points by Guards LJ Cryer (19 points, 6 rebounds) and Mylik Wilson (9 points). The Gators finished the period on a 7-2 mini-manche, with the fourth 3 of Richard inside one minute to go to UF in the locker room down 31-28.

Not bad, since Clayton had been bleached and the Gators returned it nine times.

“I was definitely worried,” said Golden. “They dictated the tempo.”

The concern has turned into alarm in the second period, while the cougars, up four, denounced eight consecutive points to move forward 42-30 to 16:23. Clayton was not only without point, but he was about to spend more than 16 minutes, rethinking the two halves, without even trying a goal on the field.

“Our defense was so good the first half,” said Sampson, whose team also benefited from a pair of technical faults in the second part, one on the UF bench and another at the center at the center Rueben ChinaiLu. “Of course, a large part of our (plan) was Clayton. He is the elite.”

Houston led by 11, at 45-34, within 14 minutes when UF Backup Guard Denzel Aberdeen (7 points) struck a rider to start the rally fueled by the Florida game with the defensive. The only 3 -point point from Martin’s game reduced the advance to six, then in the second year Thomas HAUGH (5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) blocked a shot, was released in transition and finished a 3-point game on a Richard dish which made a three-point match, 45-42, with 12 minutes to do.

By approaching the dead time of the under eight, Clayton saw a fold and led the way for a lay-up, his first bucket of the match, and was the victim of a fault. His franc launch linked things to 48 with 7:57 to do.
During the next four minutes, Houston never followed, but the Gators maintained the pressure, five times to equalize the game, including on the only 3:11 pointer of Clayton with 3:11.

“We were starting to wear them,” said Haugh. “You could just say.”

With 2:05 to play, the cougars striker Joseph Tugler hit the first of the two free throws to put the cougars one, 63-62.

They no longer scored.

The teams exchanged a pair of empty possessions, until Martin is at fault with 46.5 seconds to go and the Gators below. He coldly dropped the two francs full of pressure for the first UF lead since he was up 8-6.

Over a dead time, Houston Emanual Sharp goalkeeper (8 points, 1 for 7 of 3) surveyed from the top of the key, then attacked the right side of Florida’s defense. Richard came with help and slipped on the ball, took leather and spilled it with Sharp’s leg and out of the limits. UF ball with 26.5 to do.

The interior of the Florida which followed ended in the hands of Aberdeen through the middle of the area. He was the victim of a fault and went to the line with 19.7 seconds. Aberdeen missed the first, but made the second for a two -point cushion, the Gators calling for a dead time and the cougars who are looking to go for killing.

“In the end, you need to get a blow,” said Sampson.

In the UF coaches group, they intentionally discussed the fouling of one of the poor Houston free throws on the ground, thus eliminating the potential of an attempted green light 3, but this notion was nixed by Golden.

“There is a good chance that he does not do two, but if he does it, we will have the ball, the tie match, the chronometer.” But you know, Coach believed in our defense. He gave us a blow with 19 seconds to play to play D and get a stop. “

Again, it was clear, a shooter of 41.5% of the line at 3 points, before and in the center. With the clock that ended, he took a pass at the top of the Cryer key, led to his left and got up for a jumper with about five seconds to leave. Clayton, however, perfectly timed his competition and forced Sharp, in mid-air, to drop the ball to the ground. Realizing that he could not pick up the ball without being called for a trip, Sharp had no other choice than to try to put a body between him and the balloon loose and hoped that a teammate quickly bombarded him. But it was then that Condon sprinted in the game and plunged on the ball at the expiration of time.

“It’s really just a blur,” said Condon afterwards.

The same goes for the mass of Florida players and coaches who have spread on the field and in the arms of the other.

Cut it pic.twitter.com/a2lgsdu9io

– Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@gatorsmbk) April 8, 2025

The orange and blue confetti followed. Then the equipment. Then cutting the nets.

Golden wore one around his neck on the post-match podium. Houston had a 30-0 file when he held opponents of less than 70 regulations. Do this 30-1 now.

And make the Gators, the Champions of the NCAA 2025.

“Our players, they made the difference all year round. I was incredibly consistent, with an excellent work ethics,” said Golden. “We have an incredibly talented group – one of the most talented groups in America – but I think what has separated us all the season is the way our guys have played together and for each other. Because of this, we can call ourselves national champions for the rest of our lives.”

Send an email to a main writer Chris Harry at Chrish@gators.ufl.edu