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​Florida edged out Houston in a thrilling contest to secure their first national championship since 2007

Posted on by Sharkteelix
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08
Apr
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Florida Wins 2025 NCAA Championship in Dramatic Fashion, Defeats Houston 65-63 in Thrilling Finale

In a March Madness that had been largely devoid of nail-biters, the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament saved its most heart-pounding moment for the very end. The Florida Gators emerged as national champions for the first time since 2007, edging out the Houston Cougars in a thrilling 65-63 victory that was decided on the final possession of the game.

Trailing by 12 points in the second half, Florida mounted a gutsy comeback and held on through a tense final defensive stand to secure the program’s third national title. The last moments of the game were as intense as they come in college basketball. With 19 seconds remaining and the Cougars down by two, Houston had a chance to claim its first national championship in school history. Guard Emanuel Sharp received the ball well beyond the three-point line with five seconds on the clock and rose for what could have been a game-winning shot. However, seeing Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. closing in, Sharp hesitated with a pump fake. While he managed to avoid a traveling violation by bouncing the ball mid-air, no teammate could recover in time to attempt a final shot before the buzzer sounded.

The heartbreaking sequence for Houston sealed Florida’s title and marked a historic moment for 39-year-old head coach Todd Golden, who sprinted onto the court as confetti poured down. Meanwhile, Houston’s veteran coach Kelvin Sampson, 69, was left stunned. A win would have not only delivered the Cougars their first NCAA title but also secured Sampson his 800th career victory and made him the oldest coach ever to win a national championship.

The 2025 NCAA Tournament was notable for its predictability early on, with all four No. 1 seeds—Florida, Houston, Duke, and Auburn—advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 2008. But the tournament’s lack of early upsets was balanced out by a Final Four and championship game filled with drama and comebacks. Both Florida and Houston had to rally from double-digit deficits in their respective semifinal matchups against Duke and Auburn to reach the title game.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., who had been quiet in the first half, came alive in the second, scoring all 11 of his points after the break. He added seven assists, five rebounds, and was responsible for the final defensive stop that sealed the victory. His clutch play defined Florida’s resilient identity throughout the tournament.

Will Richard played a key role in keeping Florida competitive during the first half, scoring 14 points—half of Florida’s 28 before halftime. Houston, led by L.J. Cryer’s 19 points, seemed in control early, building a 29-21 lead in the first 15 minutes as Florida struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities. Despite Clayton’s scoreless first half—the only time this happened all season—Florida entered the break trailing by just three, 31-28, in what became the lowest-scoring first half of a championship game since 2011.

The Gators’ tournament run was marked by resilience. They had overcome a six-point deficit in the Round of 32, a ten-point hole in the Elite Eight, and a nine-point gap in the national semifinal. That pattern repeated itself Monday night when Houston extended its lead to 42-30 early in the second half. Florida responded with an 8-0 run to close the gap, and with 12 minutes remaining, the game was back within reach.

Clayton finally scored his first field goal on a smooth left-handed layup, then followed it with a free throw to tie the game. He later drained a crucial three-pointer—his first of the night—on his sixth attempt, tying the score again at 60 with under three minutes left. Alijah Martin’s free throws with 46 seconds remaining gave Florida a 64-63 lead, and a pivotal turnover by Houston’s Sharp with 26 seconds left gave the Gators the ball back.

Florida survived Houston’s aggressive full-court press and split a pair of free throws to push the lead to two. The Cougars had one final opportunity, but their last possession ended without a shot attempt, sealing Florida’s hard-fought victory and ending Houston’s 18-game winning streak.

The Gators’ triumph was a testament to their grit, poise, and ability to deliver under pressure—hallmarks of championship-caliber teams. With a young head coach, a resilient roster, and a thrilling run through the tournament, Florida’s 2025 title will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and hard-earned victories in recent NCAA history.

Sharkteelix

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