With the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four concluded, the stage was set for the national championship game between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Houston Cougars.
In the first semifinal match of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the Florida Gators overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat the Auburn Tigers 79-73. Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with a standout performance, scoring 34 points, including five three-pointers. This marked the first time a player recorded consecutive 30-point games this deep into the NCAA Tournament since Larry Bird in 1979. Florida’s second-half surge was pivotal, with a 13-3 run that shifted the momentum in their favour. Auburn’s Johni Broome, who had been instrumental in their tournament run, was limited to 15 points, impacted by Florida’s defensive adjustments.
The second semifinal game featured a dramatic comeback by the Houston Cougars, who erased a 14-point deficit to defeat the Duke Blue Devils 70-67. Houston’s defence intensified in the final minutes, holding Duke to a single field goal in the last 10 minutes and 31 seconds of play. A controversial foul call on Duke’s Cooper Flagg in the closing seconds allowed Houston’s J’Wan Roberts to sink crucial free throws, giving the Cougars their first lead since early in the game. LJ Cryer broke the tie and sealed the victory with a three pointer just before the buzzer, propelling Houston to their first national championship game appearance since 1984.
The championship between Florida and Houston was on Monday, April 7 at 8:50 p.m., and aired on CBS. Both teams entered the final with impressive credentials: Florida seeking its first national title since 2007, while Houston aims for its inaugural championship.
The highly anticipated national championship game lived up to expectations as the Florida Gators edged out the Houston Cougars 65–63 to capture their third NCAA men’s basketball title and their first since 2007. In a tightly contested battle, Florida overcame a 12-point second-half deficit with timely scoring and gritty defense. Walter Clayton Jr. delivered all 11 of his points in the second half and sealed the win with a crucial stop in the final seconds. The Gators held Houston to just 36 per cent shooting from the field, limiting their offensive rhythm down the stretch. Despite a strong showing from Houston’s LJ Cryer, who led all scorers with 20 points, the Cougars were unable to close out in the final minutes. With the win, Florida completed a resilient tournament run marked by comeback performances, balanced team play, and a return to championship form.