No.1 seeds Florida and Houston meet for just the third time ever in their respected programs history, but this one is for the National Championship in San Antonio, Texas.
It will be just the 11th time in NCAA Men’s Tournament history and the second year in a row that the National Championship game will feature two 1 seeds.
The Florida Gators, led by third year head coach Todd Golden were able to outlast the Auburn Tigers 79-73 after falling behind by 9 early in the second half.
Once again, the heroics of star guard Walter Clayton Jr. proved to be too big for the Tigers, as Clayton Jr. scored a game high 34 points, marking his second straight game in the NCAA Tournament where he reached 30 or more points.
Fellow senior guard Alijah Martin added 17 points on an efficient 60% shooting from the field.
The Gators will have their hands full on Monday night, as Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars await, currently riding an 18 game winning streak after upsetting Duke 70-67, after a late comeback that saw the Cougars finish the final 0:42 seconds on a 9-0 run.
The top ranked Cougars defense caused problems for the Blue Devils, most notably in the second half, led by sophomore forward Joseph Tugler who blocked 4 shots and grabbed 1 steal.
The hot hand of L.J. Cryer stayed hot, leading the Cougars with 26 points, making 6 of his 9 attempts from three.
Tomorrow nights game is must watch TV for a multitude of reasons.
Yes, of course it’s the National Championship and the last game of the College Basketball season, but both teams will have their hands full come 7:50 PM on Monday.
The Gators bring elite guard play and try and suffocate you in the paint with their two 7′ big men that they rotate in and out.
Houston can finally shoot the ball and their defense is always stellar.
Players to Watch for Florida:
Walter Clayton Jr:
18.5 PTS 3.7 REB 4.1 AST
We saw vintage Walter Clayton Jr. last night, big shots made offensively and the senior didn’t miss a shot from the free throw line, shooting 7/7.
You can put a hand in his face or send two guys his way, it just hasn’t worked for any team yet this tournament.
Clayton will control the pace of the game for the Gators, they should want to try and make this a shootout.
We all know when the game is on the line who will have the ball and it will be up to the Houston guards to try and force the ball out of Claytons hands late, but again, that has yet to be done so far this tournament.
Alex Condon:
10.5 PTS 7.6 REB 2.3 AST 1.4 BLK
The 7′ center Alex Condon didn’t have the biggest impact against the Tigers, scoring just 1 point and fouling out after playing just 23 minutes.
The tallest player that the Cougars played from their roster against Duke stood at just 6’8”, so the rebounding advantage both offensively and defensively should go to the Gators.
Condon needs to stay out of foul trouble, which will be tough given how physical the Cougars play both offensively an defensively.
Players to Watch for Houston:
L.J. Cryer:
15.6 PTS 2.3 REB 2.0 AST 42.7% 3PT
Houston had been missing good three point shooting in their past runs in March, but shooting won’t be an issue when you have a player who is as efficient as L.J. Cryer has been for the Cougars this season.
In the Cougars last five games, all of which are NCAA Tournament games, Cryer shooting his regular season average of 42% from three and the Gators will give him plenty opportunities to get shots up if they play at a good pace.
Auburn guards Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara we’re both able to put up 7 attempts each from downtown against the Gators.
J’Wan Roberts:
10.7 PTS 6.5 REB 1.8 AST 50.0% FG
While Duke’s Cooper Flagg scored a game high 27 points against the Houston defense, it was the efforts of J’Wan Roberts mixed with his intensity that forced a late foul on Flagg, giving Roberts two free throws to take the lead with 0:19 second remaining.
Roberts would follow his two clutch made free throws with a solid defensive possession, where he forced a missed shot by Flagg that would all but end the game, sending the Cougars to the National Championship game.
Roberts finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, as the senior forward now prepares for 6’10” forward/center Rueben Chinyelu from Florida.
Prediction:
Florida is looking for their first National Championship since winning back to back in 2006 and 2007.
Houston is appearing in their third ever National Championship and first since their infamous “Phi Slama Jama” team made it in 1984, but the Cougars have yet to bring home a Championship to Houston.
Florida and Houston is going to feed families and if I had to give the upper edge to any team, I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
Both teams are hot, have good guard play, but Kelvin Sampson is going to be the biggest key Monday night.
Sampson’s record with the Cougars is 299-83, needing just one more win reach the 300 win mark.
Todd Golden is a very good coach, but Sampson is far more experienced and Houston’s defensive is a different breed.
Monday April 7th, 2025
7:50 PM CT CBS
Houston: 71 Florida: 67