Florida’s Dramatic Comeback Secures National Championship Over Houston
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The buzz leading up to Monday’s national championship game was all about Walter Clayton Jr and his electrifying performances that had fans reminiscing about the legendary runs of Shabazz Napier and Kemba Walker with UConn in the early 2010s. Clayton, the All-American guard, was the talk of the town, and rightly so, given his recent scoring spree.
However, it was clear from the get-go that Houston had done their homework. They had a game plan, and it was all about containing Clayton. After racking up a staggering 64 points in his previous two games, Clayton found himself scoreless until the 14:57 mark of the second half. His first field goal didn’t come until there were just 7:54 left on the clock. This defensive strategy seemed to be the perfect formula for Houston to cruise to a championship victory, further cementing their reputation for having the top-ranked defense.
But the Gators had other plans. Florida’s supporting cast stepped up, keeping the team in the game just long enough for Clayton to find his rhythm in the second half. The Gators erased a 12-point deficit, ultimately clinching a nail-biting 65-63 win. Clayton’s late-game heroics earned him the title of the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, finishing with 11 points and seven assists.
Florida’s resilience in this tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. This victory marked the third consecutive game where the Gators rallied from a significant second-half deficit. They had previously overcome a nine-point deficit against Auburn in the Final Four and a ten-point deficit against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
According to ESPN Research, Florida’s comeback from 12 points down on Monday night made them the first champion in the last 20 years to overcome at least a nine-point deficit in all three of those rounds. This victory also marked Florida’s third national championship since 2006, and it made 39-year-old Todd Golden the youngest head coach to win the title since Jim Valvano in 1983. Additionally, it was the SEC’s first national championship since Kentucky’s victory over Kansas in 2012.
Will Richard was instrumental in Florida’s success, leading the team with 18 points and sinking four crucial 3-pointers in the first half to keep the Gators within reach. On the other side, Houston’s L.J. Cryer finished with a game-high 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Houston’s offensive strengths, particularly their 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding, were conspicuously absent in the first half. The Cougars shot a dismal 2-for-14 from beyond the arc and, despite grabbing six offensive boards, failed to score any second-chance points.
Coach Sampson did receive significant contributions from bench players Mylik Wilson and Ja’Vier Francis. The duo, who had combined for just six points in 22 minutes during the semifinal against Duke, managed to score 13 points in a combined 24 minutes in the first half against Florida.
Florida, too, had their struggles. They turned the ball over nine times in the first half, and Clayton was held scoreless, a rarity for him this season. Houston’s aggressive defense, particularly their hard-hedging on ball-screens, forced the ball out of Clayton’s hands early, preventing him from finding his groove. Despite this, Clayton managed to dish out five assists in the first half.
Richard was the saving grace for Florida in the early stages, singlehandedly keeping them in the game with his four 3-pointers, entering halftime with 14 points. This was a stark contrast to his performance against Auburn, where he shot 1-for-6 and scored just seven points. He finished the game with a team-high 18 points.
As the teams headed into the locker room at halftime, the big question was whether either side could find their shooting touch from the perimeter and open up the game offensively.
The second half, however, turned into a whistle-fest, with players frequently visiting the free-throw line. Florida committed five fouls in the first 3:39, including a technical foul on the bench. The fouls then shifted to Houston, resulting in 12 combined fouls in the first 6:15 after halftime.
The game needed a spark, and the stars obliged. Cryer, who had just five points in the first half, exploded for 14 points after the break, including three 3-pointers. Clayton, meanwhile, got on the scoreboard with free throws and followed up with two three-point plays, providing Florida with the momentum they desperately needed.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
