On April 7th, 2025 the Florida Gators played against the Houston Cougars with Florida pulling off the win with a nail biting game. The Gators won over the Cougars 65-63.

Walter Clayton Jr. was the star of the show, continuing his incredible tournament run. He averaged 24.6 points per game and dropped a massive 34 points in the Final Four against Auburn, but he saved his best for the championship game. His scoring and leadership were exactly what the Gators needed to secure the win.

Florida’s size advantage was another huge factor. With guys like Alijah Martin and Will Richard, they dominated inside, using their size and strength to control the game. Even though Houston brought their usual intensity and strong defense, they just couldn’t match up physically with the Gators, especially in the paint. Junior Ely Madaleno always believed in the Gators. He said, “Walter Clayton Jr. is one of those guys that are just bound to win.”

Todd Golden, Florida’s head coach, has worked wonders since taking over the program. His mix of analytics and innovation turned the Gators into one of the most well-rounded teams in college basketball. This championship is a huge win for him, and it proves that his approach really works. After winning the title, he officially became the youngest coach to ever win at only 39 years old. 

Houston definitely put up a fight and made things tough with their defense, but Florida’s offense and size were just too much. In the end, the Gators’ well-rounded game and Clayton Jr.’s big-time plays led them to victory.

This win will go down as a huge moment for Florida basketball, and it’s a big statement for Todd Golden’s coaching career. With this championship, the Gators are back on top, and Clayton Jr. will go down as one of the program’s all-time greats. It’s a huge moment for Florida basketball, and one that will forever be in history.