NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Florida 65, Houston 63 — Gators' Comeback Clinches Program's Third National Title
On Monday, April 7th, 2025, the Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 in San Antonio at the Alamodome to win the 2025 Men’s Basketball National Championship.
Will Richard led the Gators with 18 points, Alex Condon added 12, and Walter Clayton Jr. finished with 11. Houston led 31-28 at halftime, leading by as many as eight in the first half. Richard kept the Gators close with 14 first-half points, including hitting 4 of 5 from distance to help offset Clayton going scoreless in the first half, missing all four of his 3-point shots while dishing five assists.
Florida overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half (tied for the third-largest comeback in a national championship game) to finish 36-4 and take home the 3rd National Championship in program history and first since the back-to-back championship teams of 2006 and 2007. Todd Golden (39) became the youngest coach to win a national championship since 37-year-old Jim Valvano led N.C. State to an upset over Houston in 1983.
The Gators will always "Remember the Alamodome".