Florida has made a remarkable push to reach the national championship game, going from a preseason sixth-place finisher to a final showdown against top-ranked Houston. The Gators’ journey is marked by victories over tough opponents like Auburn and Duke.
In contrast, Houston’s suffocating defense has propelled the Cougars to their first national championship appearance in 40 years, with coach Kelvin Sampson at the helm since 2018. This year’s team boasts an impressive 18-game winning streak.
Florida will face a new challenge as they look to dethrone the dominant Houston squad, which ranks among the top teams in both adjusted offense and defense according to KenPom.com. The Gators’ AP All-America guard Walter Clayton Jr. has scored 123 points this NCAA tourney, while Houston’s L.J. Cryer leads the team with scoring prowess.
Coach Todd Golden praised his staff for their hard work and alignment, saying, “We’ve accumulated a great group of guys on our roster.” The Cougars, meanwhile, have won 30 of their last 31 games since two overtime losses in November.
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between the Cinderella Gators and the powerhouse Cougars.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/national-championship-march-madness-florida-houston-053aac54cc1ebf0fcd64d1d686d57b4c