Florida defeated Houston 65-63 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game, securing its third national title in program history. The Gators came back from a deficit in the second half, led by guard Alijah Martin’s 18 points and freshman forward Alex Condon’s 12 points and 7 rebounds.
The Cougars’ physical defense forced Florida to alter their approach, but junior Walter Clayton Jr. made an impact in the second half with all 11 of his points coming from that period. The Gators also received crucial contributions from Richard, who hit three 3-pointers before fouling out, and Thomas Haugh, who scored two clutch baskets.
In the final minutes, the game hung by just a point as Clayton tied the score with a layup, and Mylik Wilson’s layup followed to tie it again. However, a pair of free throws from Martin sealed the win for Florida, giving them their first title since 2007.
Coach Todd Golden, who is the youngest coach to win a national title at just 39 years old, praised his team’s resilience in the face of adversity. “We did what we did all year,” he said. “We stayed the course. We made plays when we needed them the most.”
The victory marks Florida’s first national championship since 2007 and cements this season as one of the most dominant in recent NCAA history, with 14 teams from the SEC competing in the tournament.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/04/07/florida-houston-march-madness-national-championship/82983969007