In a bruising battle that featured 11 lead changes and a wild final sequence, Florida rallied from a 12-point deficit for its third NCAA men’s basketball championship with a 65-63 victory over Houston.
It’s the first national title for Florida since winning back to back in 2006-07. The Gators won despite shooting only 6 of 24 on 3-pointers, and star guard Walter Clayton Jr. was held to 11 points by a stifling Houston defense.
Yet though Florida led for only 1 minute and 3 seconds during the entire course of the game, it was enough to outlast Houston’s gritty team.
“We did what we did all year,” Gators coach Todd Golden told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson. “We stayed the course. We have the best backcourt in America. I think we had the best frontcourt in America.
“We made plays when we needed them the most like all year. We guarded our butts off down the stretch. Made every 50-50 winning play. The Gators are natty, baby. We got the natty, baby. Let’s go.”
With 19.7 seconds remaining, Houston had possession while trailing by two, and the Cougars elected to try to win the game with a 3-pointer. But Houston was unable to get off a shot in a mad scramble against a suffocating Gators defense.
"FLORIDA IS BACK ON TOP OF THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL WORLD!" pic.twitter.com/IeLecOAcSb
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
It took 25 minutes for Clayton to score, and he didn’t make a field goal until less than 8 minutes left in the second half. Florida was led by 18 points from Will Richard and 12 by Alex Condon.
“It’s just how connected we all are,” Richard said. “We all love each other, we love playing for each other.”
Said Clayton: “Man, it’s a feeling I can’t explain.”
The feelings obviously were devastating for the Cougars.
In its third national championship game bid for its first title, Houston came up heartbreakingly short again (just as in 1983 against North Carolina State and 1984 against Georgetown).
The Cougars took their biggest lead at 42-30 with 15:34 remaining. LJ Cryer had a game-high 19 points, and six other Cougars scored between five to nine points for a very balanced attack.
Both teams made six 3-pointers and shot similar percentages from the field (Florida 39.6%, Houston 34.8%), but the difference was at the foul line.
The Gators made 17 of 21 free throws, and Houston was 9 of 14 as the Cougars committed 19 fouls (16 in the second half) to the Gators’ 10.
Keep reading below for updates before and during the game.
Though he was held to 11 points in the championship game (and none until the final 8 minutes), Walter Clayton Jr. still was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 NCAA Final Four.
Joining Clayton on the all-tournament team: Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Florida’s Will Richard, Houston’s LJ Cryer and J’Wan Roberts.
The All-Tournament Team 🤩#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/QRpaBxv8qu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
Clayton led the Gators with seven assists in the 65-63 victory over Houston.
Walter Clayton Jr. is bringing home Most Outstanding Player honors. pic.twitter.com/Mg3o20K6ou
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Here’s what Florida coach Todd Golden and Will Richard had to say after the game:
"Like we've done all year, we made plays when we needed them most."
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Todd Golden joins @TracyWolfson after ANOTHER comeback win. pic.twitter.com/y2zsMbshef
"GATOR BOYS STAY HOT!" pic.twitter.com/A9USUgqv8m
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Golden, 39, became the youngest coach to win a basketball championship since Jim Valvano, who also beat Houston in guiding North Carolina State to the 1983 title.
Bright future for Golden and the Gators pic.twitter.com/mn8v1ii0ph
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 8, 2025
Click here for the full stats package after Florida’s 65-63 comeback victory over Houston.
Give Florida’s defense all the credit, but what a devastating way for Houston to lose the game on its final possession.
The Cougars trailed by two and had the ball with 19.7 seconds left — and coach Kelvin Sampson elected to go for the win instead of playing for overtime.
After running unsuccessful screens for LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan in hopes of taking a game-winning 3-pointer, the ball ended up in Emanuel Sharp’s hands.
Absolute jubilation on one end. Absolute sadness on the other.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
The emotions of a title game. pic.twitter.com/oZLK3sOYun
Sharp left his feet but let go of the ball rather than shoot with Walter Clayton Jr. contesting. He was unable to pick up the ball again without picking up a travel, and the clock ran out with Florida ahead 65-63 to win its third championship and first since 2006-07.
A crazy ending to a very memorable championship game.
Emanuel Sharp is consoled by teammates, along with Walter Clayton Jr., following the finish. pic.twitter.com/3P02ixnVoB
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
This could be the last opporunity for the Cougars, who trail by two at 65-63 with 19.7 seconds left.
The national championship game is ending just as it began — with extreme physicality.
After inspired defense by Florida led to a block, the Gators’ Will Richard drew the fifth foul on Joseph Tugler on a drive.
Richard made both free throws to put Florida, which trailed by as many as 12, ahead at 64-63 — its first lead since 8-6 in the first half.
Florida has a one-point lead with 46.5 seconds to go.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 8, 2025
First lead for the Gators since 8-6.
As expected, Florida’s superstar guard has shown up late in the game.
Walter Clayton Jr. hit his first 3-pointer with 3:13 remaining to tie the game at 60. but Houston answered with a tip-in basket.
COUGARS CONVERT THE TIP IN 👀#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/voGdrv4b3w
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
There have been 11 ties in the game.
WALTER CLAYTON AGAIN ‼️#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/MDHz5f6iy4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
After taking a Florida punch that tied the game with a 27-18 run, Houston has eked ahead by turning up its vaunted defense and continuing to amass offensive rebounds.
The Cougars went up 60-57 on an emphatic putback dunk by Ja’Vier Francis, who is playing gamely despite four fouls.
There’s 3:24 remaining in the national championship game.
FRANCIS ON THE FOLLOW 💪#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/OHkJvEQ5mF
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
Florida has earned its second technical foul of the game after Rueben Chinyelu angrily bounced the ball after getting called for a foul on J’Wan Roberts.
LJ Cryer hit both technical shots, and Roberts made 1 of 2 to put Houston back on top 51-48.
Another three-point play by Walter Clayton Jr. quickly tied the game at 51, but LJ Cryer answered with a 3-pointer to put Houston ahead.
CLAYTON GETS ANOTHER TO FALL 🪣#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/MPcavYC8CJ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
Walter Clayton Jr. scored his first field goal with a flourish.
Florida’s star guard was fouled on a drive and made the free throw to extend the Gators’ run to 6-0 and tie the game at 48-48 with 7:54 remaining.
Clayton, who has five points, has been known for his second-half surges in the tournament.
well, that is a pretty monster basket from Walter Clayton Jr.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 8, 2025
Houston’s ninth and 10th fouls of the second half were costly.
Bruising forward Joseph Tugler picked up his fourth foul while trying for an offensive rebound and now will sit on the bench for a while. Florida made both free throws to cut Houston’s lead to 48-44.
Ja’Vier Francis then picked up his fourth foul for Houston on the ensuing possession and also went to the bench, leaving the Cougars undermanned in the frontcourt for the foreseeable future.
Since the Florida Technical...Houston 11 fouls - Florida 1 foul.
— Nick Bahe (@NickBahe) April 8, 2025
After facing its largest deficit of the tournament, Florida has showed some resolve with an 8-0 run to close within three at 45-42.
The officials seemed to be letting both teams play until the Gators’ bench picked up a technical foul for complaining about a call. Since then, the whistle has shifted against the Cougars, who have struggled against tougher defensive pressure.
AND-1 pic.twitter.com/NyVRNQTr6k
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025
Suddenly, the officials are making their presence felt in the national championship game.
With just under six minutes to play, there are now 13 total fouls (seven on Florida, six on Houston) in the second half — including three being whistled on Houston in 9 seconds.
This follows a first half of only four total fouls on both teams.
After a first half largely devoid of fouls on either side, Florida has committed seven in the first six minutes of the second half.
That means many trips to the foul line ahead for the Houston Cougars, who are in the bonus for the last 14 minutes (and will be guaranteed two shots after Florida’s 10th foul).
Houston leads 45-34.
With just under 15 minutes to play in the NCAA national championship game, Walter Clayton Jr. finally has some points.
Florida’s star guard connected on two free throws after being fouled on a drive.
Though he cut Houston’s lead to 42-34, Clayton still has yet to make a field goal and has only attempted only one shot in the last 18 minutes.
Emotions boiled over for Florida, whose bench was called for a technical foul for a negative reaction to a foul call.
After Will Richard was called for a blocking foul, several Gators jumped up from the bench below the floor of the Alamodome and caught the eye of an official.
The foul on Richard came on the heels of two offensive foul calls on Florida.
The Florida bench is assessed a technical following a foul call on Will Richard. pic.twitter.com/lrm9MSkqTB
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
The Cougars have opened up the largest lead of the night 👀#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/vkC50SJrI2
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
The Cougars made the Gators pay with a four-point trip as LJ Cryer hit a 3-pointer to following up a free throw.
Houston is ahead 42-30, its biggest lead of the game and Florida’s largest deficit of the tournament, with 16 minutes to play.
In more bad news for the Gators, star guard Walter Clayton Jr. remains scoreless.
Walter Clayton Jr.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Elite Eight vs. Texas Tech: 30 points
Final Four vs. Auburn: 34 points
1st half tonight: 0 points pic.twitter.com/kC2Ty1BmVz
Per BetMGM in-game odds, Houston is favored by 9.5 points with a game total of 136.5 points.
LJ Cryer opens the scoring with a 3-pointer for Houston, which had missed 7 of its past 8 shots.
The Cougars lead 36-30 with 17:21 to play.
Cryer sticks a triple to start the second half for Houston 🔥#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/GNsA5YoGbv
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
A slower-than-expected pace and a breakout first half for Will Richard made some bettors happy.
Taking the under on the first-half total (66.5) was an easy play with 59 total points before halftime. The points prop for the game for Richard was 11.5 — which he cleared when his fourth 3-pointer gave him 14 points just before halftime.
Updated MGMBet odds: Houston is a 1.5-point favorite, and the game total is 135.5 points.
Through the first 20 minutes of the game, here’s what we’ve learned about the NCAA 2025 men’s national championship game:
—Neither team has backed down on its defensive intensity, reinforcing that these really might be the two toughest teams in the country.
Maybe the most amazing stats from the first half: Despite being one of the most physical games of the season, there were a combined four free throw attempts on only four total fouls for Florida and Houston
—Though the Cougars are struggling from deep (2 of 14 on 3-pointers), Houston has to like its balance with seven of its players scoring in the first half.
—How long can Florida go without Walter Clayton Jr. scoring? Or maybe the better question is, how long can Houston keep the tournament’s most dynamic player in check?
The good news for the Gators is Clayton’s struggles mostly seem tactical as he’s been forced to pass out of constant double teams. Coach Todd Golden will need to make some adjustments to get Clayton out of the pick and roll and into some open looks.
HALFTIME STATS
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
Second half coming up
WATCH on @CBSSports
LISTEN on @KPRCradio 950 AM, @varsity Network app & @westwood1sports#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/mDmng6kfVG
With Walter Clayton Jr. scoreless in the first 19 minutes of the game, it’s fallen on Florida backcourt running mate Will Richard to keep the Gators in the game, and he’s delivering.
With four 3-pointers, Richard scored 14 of Florida’s first 28 points.
WILL RICHARD. AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/SSPsZQGuCZ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Houston leads 31-28 with 34 seconds left in the first half.
Will Richard's got the hot hand for the Gators in the first half 🔥#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/yzcUtcLOIg
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
While Will Richard continues to provide the range for Florida, Houston has found its outside shot to take a 29-21 lead — its biggest of the game.
After Will Richard tied the game at 21 with his third 3-pointer, Houston rattled off a 9-0 run behind 3-pointers by LJ Cryer and Mylik Wilson.
Cryer is Cash 💸
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
📺 CBS | @LjCryer
pic.twitter.com/oLFpUqLq6q
Though Walter Clayton Jr. has three assists, the star Florida guard is scoreless and struggling to find an open shot.
As expected, the Cougars’ defense also has been a major story by forcing nine turnovers by the Gators. Houston has only one turnover.
🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨pic.twitter.com/WQ6CuEapb6
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
In updated in-game BetMGM odds, Houston has improved to a 4.5-point favorite, and the game total has crept back up to its original 141.5.
As expected, this game has been a street fight, and outside shooting is suffering.
Houston has missed its first seven shots from distance but no matter as the Cougars are 10 of 17 inside the arc.
After missing its first six 3-point attempts, Florida has started to find the rhythm with Will Richard hitting two consecutive 3-pointers.
Star Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr., typically a second-half player, remains scoreless with just under 8 minutes to play in the first half.
Per BetMGM, Houston has improved to being favored by 2.5 points midgame, and the slower pace has dropped the game total by five points to 136.5
Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon founded Phi Slamma Jamma at Houston in the 1980s, and the Cougars’ return to the national championship game has been a fitting tribute to that heyday.
Both Florida and Houston have been taking turns with rim-rattling dunks in the first half, which Houston leads 14-10 with 10:18 remaining.
Neither team has hit a 3-pointer yet but check out this collection of slams:
pic.twitter.com/ZnxjjstsbN https://t.co/cAWzzYaSZx
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
boom. pic.twitter.com/2c1CV9ddz2
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025
JA'VIER FRANCIS POSTER OMG 😱#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/z7Lbjo4Spg
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
This angle of the Ja'Vier Francis poster 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/PzZiaNJNT6
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Florida makes a play on the defensive end and turns it into a quick dunk 💪#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/X8rKx04gfy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
This won’t be a game for the faint of heart if the first 5 minutes are any indication.
With bodies flying around the floor on seemingly every possession, Florida and Houston battled to an 8-8 tie at the first timeout.
These are two extremely physical teams known for defense and grit, and they both have come to tussle.
In two notable early plays, a dunk attempt by Alijah Martin was blocked forcefully by J’Wan Roberts.
BIG TIME BL🚫CK
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
📺 CBS | @JwanRoberts13
pic.twitter.com/HjQ7dUC0M3
But Rueben Chinyelu threw down a slam a few minutes later and then ran into Joseph Tugler while turning up the floor.
Both men checked out of the game after the collision, but neither seemed hurt.
At the first break, the in-game spread from BetMGM remained Florida by 1.5 points with a total score of 141.5 points (both unchanged since the tip).
Houston wins the tip, and we’re 40 minutes from determining the 2025 championship.
No surprises in the starting five for either team.
As expected for Florida, it’s Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Will Richard, Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr.
natty first 5️⃣ #GoGators | @RbAFlorida pic.twitter.com/lL873a717X
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025
For Houston, it’s Joseph Tugler, J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, LJ Cryer and Milos Uzen.
HOUSTON STARTERS
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 8, 2025
presented by @memorialhermann
G – 7️⃣ @lossyuzan
G – 4️⃣ @LjCryer
G – 2️⃣1️⃣ @emanuelsharp_
F – 1️⃣3️⃣ @JWanRoberts13
F – 1️⃣1️⃣ @joseph_tugler#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/LS7qZkZ3Jj
Trying to become the first head coach under the age of 40 to win a national championship in more than 40 years, Todd Golden naturally seemed a little nervous.
“I got some good sleep,” the Florida coach told Tracy Wolfson. “Definitely some nerves, some butterflies, but all good ones. Obviously a great honor for our program to be here, and we’re 40 minutes away from the opportunity to win a championship.”
How would the Gators handle the Cougars’ vaunted defensive intensity?
"We gotta focus on ourselves... When we're really locked in and taking pride in doing what we do well, we play very well and we're generally victorious.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
The message doesn't change much even though the setting is different."@GatorsMBK head coach Todd Golden to @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/QWLwSwFKlo
“When we’re at our best, we exhibit a lot of the same qualities,” Golden said. “We’re a fantastic offensive rebounding team. We’re a top 10 defensive team. Obviously, Houston does it at the highest level and it’s something they’ve been able to do for a long time. But again, when we play really well, we’re able to do that also. I expect our guys, if we want to win this game tonight, to be able to do that.”
Golden said the message he sent to the players was “we’ve just got to focus on ourselves. We’ve had a great season, we won 35 games for a reason. When we’ve really locked in and taken pride in what we do well, we play very well and are generally victorious so the message doesn’t change much even though the setting is different. I think our guys will be ready to go.”
On the cusp of possibly his 800th victory and becoming the oldest coach to win a men’s national championship, Kelvin Sampson, 69, was in an introspective mood before the biggest game of his life.
Recent interviews with Sampson have been candid and enlightening, and his time with reporter Tracy Wolfson less than an hour before the 8:50 p.m. ET tipoff was no exception.
In his 11th year of coaching at Houston (and 299 victories with the Cougars), Sampson reflected on assembling a de-facto pep band with his daughter to help get students interested in a program that had fallen on hard times since its 1980s heyday.
“I’m not sure I’m there yet,” Sampson said when Wolfson asked what a championship would mean to Houston. “I know what that would do for the people who have been with the program since we started when nobody would come. We had to beg students to come. Mostly just to let them know where the gym was, and that we had a basketball team.
"I think we're gonna have to keep a fresh body on (Walter Clayton Jr.)... At the end of the day... what we have to do is focus on us."@UHCougarMBK head coach Kelvin Sampson spoke with @tracywolfson ahead of the National Championship Game pic.twitter.com/fQmGflMWwJ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
“From those days to now, it just shows that with good people around you doing things the right way, and a little hard work, you can accomplish just about everything.”
Sampson said he kept the message to his senior-laden team that is 35-4 this season.
“Our 40th game is tonight,” he said. “All season long has been focused on our next game. We haven’t given (the championship game) the importance that other staffs would do. (The players) know what’s at stake tonight. ... My wish for them tonight is play to their potential.”
Sampson said the key to containing Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. was to “keep a fresh body on him. I hope by chasing him around, it doesn’t wear us down on offense. It’s like the other night with Cooper Flagg. We’re not going to stop Cooper Flagg. We’re certainly not going to stop Walter Clayton Jr.
“We’ll have a game plan, and the goal tonight is play good. We play good, we think we always have a chance.”
While an NCAA men’s champion will be crowned in San Antonio, Texas, tonight, there are important ramifications for college basketball happening at a court hearing in Oakland, California.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken was reviewing the House vs. NCAA settlement that will determine the direction of the rules that govern NIL (name image and likeness), new roster limits and scholarship rules. Judge Wilken said she would hear testimony from several objectors before making a ruling expected within the next two weeks.
Wrapping up here in Oakland without a final decision Judge Claudia Wilken, shows her cards a bit despite asking for lawyers to consider some changes: "I think it's a good settlement. Don't quote me."
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) April 7, 2025
The NCAA released a statement on the hearing Monday night.
Statement on settlement hearing. pic.twitter.com/xfsxUvikAl
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) April 7, 2025
NIL remains one of the hottest topics in college sports. Ernie Johnson made the case this week on “The Dan Patrick Show” for why the NCAA needs limitations on how teams are able to compensate their players:
Just a friendly reminder that the third meeting in history between the Florida and Houston men’s basketball teams will tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET with a national championship on the line.
Meanwhile, those walk-in shots continue at the Alamodome ...
Almost that time ⌚️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/lQgdxGsGwe
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2025
If you’re a fan of player photos and video as they enter the arena, now is your time.
Courtesy of the NCAA’s March Madness social account, Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida and LJ Cryer of Houston have arrived:
Walter Clayton Jr. is locked in 🔐#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/YMtufrAxT6
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2025
LJ Cryer is in the building 👀#MarchMadness @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/aBy7iDuBmt
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2025
One of the most delightful aspects of Houston’s magical run to the championship game has been the public re-emergence of Hakeem Olajuwon.
Before becoming an NBA legend who led the Houston Rockets to consecutive championships in 1994-95, Olajuwon (nicknamed “The Dream”) was a superstar at the University of Houston who led the Cougars to the title game twice in 1983 and ’84 with his equally great teammate Clyde Drexler.
Olajuwon, who was named the most outstanding player of the 1983 Final Four as a sophomore, was a notable attendee Saturday for Houston’s 70-67 victory over Duke. Once he was allowed to join the celebration, Olajuwon had a hug for Houston coach Kelvin Sampson.
Kelvin Sampson everybody!
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) April 6, 2025
Fires up the crowd, hugs Hakeem Ojaluwon, hugs Jim Nantz, walks off pic.twitter.com/WMj3ETQL5q
But the Olajuwon sightings started way before the Final Four.
During his road trip to San Antonio, “The Dream” was spotted by fellow Cougars fans at a Buc-ee’s.
My great IHeart co-worker Sofia and her husband Edward are on their way to SA. They stopped at Bucee’s as we all do. Was Hakeem being there on anyone’s bingo card? @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/gTDzYgdLEl
— Matt Thomas (@SportsMT) April 5, 2025
The good news is that he’ll have familiar company at tonight’s game.
Drexler, who starred for Houston and Portland in the NBA, also will be attending tonight.
Clyde Drexler tells @PaperCityMag he will be at the national championship game Monday night with his son Adam, who also played for the University of Houston in 2014-15 season. "We're Cougars for life," Drexler says. ". . . I think what they're doing is wonderful. That was… pic.twitter.com/TKLK84hdG7
— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) April 7, 2025
There also was another great pregame meeting of Houston legends with Olajuwon and Elvin Hayes (a star from 1965-68 who is a radio analyst for the Cougars) shared a
Hakeem Olajuwon comes over to greet Elvin Hayes and share a moment at the Final Four. Two eras of University of Houston basketball greatness coming together to watch another. pic.twitter.com/IwuiL64Bey
— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) April 6, 2025
Houston undoubtedly eliminated some future NBA stars with its stunning victory over Duke — but it’s unclear how many of those Cougars will play against the Blue Devils on the next level.
While Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach all were projected as top 10 picks in a recent 2025 NBA mock draft by NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, there were no Houston players on the list.
Florida also was absent from the top 10, which was published Feb. 27. Given Walter Clayton Jr.'s memorable tournament performance, it’s very possible the Gatros guard’s stock has risen since then, as have the prospects for the Cougars’ gritty stars. And the draft could depend in some instances on the positional needs of NBA teams as much as raw talent
But the championship game also is rarely a full showcase of future professional stars. With only a few hundred slots available on NBA teams, many players peak in college — so enjoy what could be the final command performance for several NCAA standouts tonight.
If you were trying to handicap tonight’s game by using history as a guide, no one would accuse you of recency bias.
These teams have met only twice before — most recently on Dec. 8, 1973. Houston won 97-73 over Florida as the 14th-ranked Cougars never trailed and were led by guard Louis Dunbar’s game-high 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
In their first meeting on Dec. 7, 1970, Houston defeated Florida 81-76. Both of the Cougars’ victories were at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston.
Courtesy of the Rotoworld Desk, here are some stats and odds nuggets ahead of tonight’s game:
—The BetMGM odds for the national championship have remained unchanged since Florida opened as a 1.5-point favorite. The game total has dropped a point after opening at 141.5 points.
—Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. is averaging 32 points over the past two rounds of the tournament. With his point total set at 19.5 points, the over seems attractive — especially if you like Florida to win (as the Gators likely will need at least 20 from Clayton for a victory).
—Houston’s LJ Cryer has scored 17 and 26 points the last two rounds of the tournament, and his player prop is set at 17.5 points. It’s tough to go against the senior guard falling short of 18 points in his home state.
—Florida’s Thomas Haugh has become integral to the Florida offense during the tournament. His point total is set at 10.5, but the sophomore has eclipsed that in the past three games coming off the bench as the Gators’ sixth man.
—Clayton has made at least three 3-pointers in eight of Florida’s last nine games and already was 5 for 8 in the win over Auburn at the Alamodome. His prop is set at 2.5 made 3-pointers. Houston has a very tough defense, but Clayton is hot enough to hit three 3-pointers by halftime.
—Houston’s Joseph Tugler has attached the boards by averaging 7.2 rebounds in five tournament games (after averaging 5.9 rebounds per game during the season). Tugler’s number is set at 5.5 tonight, and if the game turns into a defensive rock fight, he should reach that total.
If you’re looking for a handy breakdown of how Florida and Houston compare in nearly every team category, the Cougars’ social media account posted this helpful guide.
Florida has the edge in points per game, points per game margin, field goal percentage, 3-pointers made, rebounding and assists.
But as Kelvin Sampson would say, “Don’t sleep on Houston.” The Cougars are tops in steals and blocks, which highlight their tenacious defense.
Notes and numbers for TONIGHT's #MarchMadness National Championship Game vs Florida#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/NMTvosjsvg
— Houston Men's Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) April 7, 2025
Though Houston lacks a national championship, this is the Cougars’ seventh appearance in the Final Four, and a few of its squads are legendary.
Who can forget “Phi Slamma Jamma,” the nickname for the high-flying Houston teams of the 1980s that turned dunking into an art form?
Led by NBA legends and Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston reached the championship game in consecutive years but twice were on the wrong side of history.
In 1983, Houston lost the title to North Carolina State 54-52 as Lorenzo Charles dunked an airball by Dereck Whittenberg at the buzzer in one of the sport’s most memorable upsets. In perhaps his most indelible image, late coach Jim Valvano scurried through the postgame celebration trying to hug every member of the Wolfpack after knocking off the top-ranked Cougars.
In 1984, Houston fell 84-75 to the Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown Hoyas, who were considered one of the greatest defensive teams of all time.
Good news for longtime fans of those teams (and college basketball in general): Olajuwon was at Saturday’s win over Duke, and Drexler is expected to be at tonight’s championship matchup.
Clyde Drexler tells @PaperCityMag he will be at the national championship game Monday night with his son Adam, who also played for the University of Houston in 2014-15 season. "We're Cougars for life," Drexler says. ". . . I think what they're doing is wonderful. That was… pic.twitter.com/TKLK84hdG7
— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) April 7, 2025
There is no debate about the golden age of Florida basketball.
With coach Billy Donovan and a roster that included Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer, the Gators won back-to-back national championships in 2006-07.
This is the fourth appearance in the title game for Florida, which lost its title game debut to Michigan State on April 3, 2000.
Florida’s social media accounts shared a message Monday from Donovan, the Chicago Bulls coach who was just named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Billy Donovan always rooting for the Gators 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Eyf9hscqfj
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 7, 2025
With less than three hours until tipoff, the Florida and Houston teams are getting ready to make their way to the Alamodome, site of tonight’s championship game.
Kelvin Sampson & the #Houston Cougars arrive at their team hotel four hours ahead of the National Championship.
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) April 7, 2025
If the scene here is any indication, the Alamodome will indeed be a Coogs House tonight…. pic.twitter.com/nDH4RXvlzb
Both were planning to hold 5:30 p.m. CT fan sendoffs at their respective hotels (the Westin Riverwalk for Florida; the Marriott Rivercenter for Houston).
Gator Nation gettin’ LOUD 🔊 pic.twitter.com/hQAHsU5L4M
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 7, 2025
No matter who wins the national championship tonight, the coach will be making history of some sort.
Florida’s Todd Golden, 39, is trying to become the seventh coach in NCAA history before his 40th birthday and the youngest since the men’s tournament expanded to 1984-85. He is the sixth coach under 40 to reach the championship game since 1984-85 (joining Mike Krzyzewski in 1986, P. J. Carlesimo in 1989, Billy Donovan in 2000, Thad Matta in 2007 and Brad Stevens in 2010-11).
On the other end of the spectrum is Houston’s Kelvin Sampson, 69. If the Cougars win, Sampson will become the oldest coach of a men’s championship team (and it would happen a day after Geno Auriemma, 71, became the oldest coach of a women’s national championship team).
Sampson also is seeking his 800th career victory tonight (and his 300th at Houston, which he has coached since 2014). Earlier this season, he moved into 17th on the win list for coaches with more than 10 years at the Division I level. Sampson is 799-353 in a career that also included stops at Montana Tech, Oklahoma and Indiana.
In his third season at Florida, Golden is 75-33. Prior to Florida, he spent three seasons as the head coach of San Francisco.
The top seed in the Midwest Region, the Houston Cougars won these five games to reach the national championship (seeding of each team in parenthesis):
First round: (1) Houston 78, (16) SIU Edwardsville 40
Second round: (1) Houston 81, (8) Gonzaga 76
Regional semifinal: (1) Houston 62, (4) Purdue 60
Regional final: (1) Houston 69, (2) Tennessee 50
Final Four: (1) Houston 70, (1) Duke 67
The top seed in the West Region, the Florida Gators won these five games to reach the national championship (seeding of each team in parenthesis):
First round: (1) Florida 95, (16) Norfolk State 69
Second round: (1) Florida 77, (8) UConn 75
Regional semifinal: (1) Florida 87, (4) Maryland 71
Regional final: (1) Florida 84, (3) Texas Tech 79
Final Four: (1) Florida 79, (1) Auburn 73
It won’t be official until just before the tipoff, but the Florida Gators’ starting five is expected to be:
Player | Position | Height / weight | Year | Stats |
Joseph Tugler | F | 6-8 / 230 | Sophomore | 5.5 ppg / 5.9 rpg |
J’Wan Roberts | F | 6-8 / 235 | Senior | 10.7 ppg / 6.5 rpg |
Emanuel Sharp | G | 6-3 / 210 | Junior | 12.8 ppg / 3.0 rpg |
LJ Cryer | G | 6-1 / 200 | Senior | 15.6 ppg / 2.3 rpg |
Milos Uzen | G | 6-4 / 190 | Junior | 11.5 ppg / 3.0 rpg/ 4.3 apg |
It won’t be official until just before the tipoff, but the Florida Gators’ starting five is expected to be:
Player | Position | Height, weight | Year | Stats |
Alex Condon | F | 6-11, 230 | Sophomore | 10.5 ppg / 7.6 rpg |
Rueben Chinyelu | C | 6-10, 255 | Sophomore | 6.0 ppg / 6.6 rpg |
Will Richard | G | 6-4, 206 | Senior | 13.2 ppg / 4.5 rpg |
Alijah Martin | G | 6-2, 195 | Graduate | 14.6 ppg / 4.6 rpg |
Walter Clayton Jr. | G | 6-2, 195 | Senior | 18.5 ppg / 3.7 rpg/ 4.1 apg |
Here’s hoping tonight’s final is a little closer than the women’s national championship game.
UConn left no doubt in soundly thrashing South Carolina 82-59 as the Huskies won their 12th title but first since 2016 — the longest drought for the sport’s winningest program since its inaugural 1995 championship.
Though its dominant victory lacked drama, UConn’s backstory was rich, and NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach explored why it was so special for coach Geno Auriemma and his stars Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong.
As Auerbach writes, “Geno Auriemma admitted afterward that his biggest concern on Sunday was that somehow everything would go wrong for UConn and everything would go right for South Carolina, and then he had no idea what he’d say or how he’d process it. He didn’t want to imagine a world in which Bueckers’ college career ended without her cutting down the nets.”
According to BetMGM, the latest odds as of Monday afternoon were:
Odds: Houston Cougars (-105), Florida Gators (-115)
Spread: Gators -1.5
Total: 140.5 points
It’s the first meeting between these teams in more than 50 years (Houston is 2-0, including a 97-73 win over Florida on Dec. 8, 1973).
During the NCAA tournament, Houston is 3-1-1 against the spread and 1-3-1 on the O/U. Florida is 2-3 against the spread and 4-1 O/U during the past five games.
The NBC Sports Bet Staff has a full betting preview of tonight’s game available here with Rotoworld Best Bet information, expert picks and predictions.
Florida and Houston will tip off for the 2025 NCAA March Madness men’s championship at 8:50 p.m. ET.
The game will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ with a team of play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.