After overcoming both Duke University and the University of Auburn in the Final Four respectively, Houston University and Florida University squared off in the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
The championship was a clash of two vastly different styles as Houston got to the championship largely due to their dominant defense, which was the No. 1 ranked scoring defense this season. Houston’s defense is relentless, which helps explain why the team’s mile average is 5:19.
While the team’s defense gets most of the attention—deservedly so—they were also the top ranked 3-point shooting team in the country, shooting just under 40% from distance.
In the first half, Houston’s defense set the tone as it has all year, holding the No. 3 offense in the country to 38% from the field, and less than 30% from behind the arc as the Gators scored only 28 points.
Despite the offensive struggles, senior Will Richard scored 14 points after averaging just over 13 a game for the season.
While Houston’s defense controlled the pace throughout the first half, forcing nine Gator turnovers, they got contributions all over the board offensively. Senior Mylik Wilson led the team with seven points as senior Ja’Vier Francis also contributed six points off the bench. Every starter scored to give the Cougars a 31-28 lead at the break, despite shooting just 14% from behind the arc.
In the second half, the Gators bit back and began to turn the tide. Senior Walter Clayton Jr., who led Florida this year in scoring with 18.5 points, was able to score 11 points in the second half after being held scoreless in the first half.
Richard led the Gators in scoring 18 points on 5-10 shooting while going 4-7 from deep. He provided Florida with much needed offense as the team shot 39.6% from the field in the game.
“I’m just trying to make plays to help us stay in the game and give ourselves the best chance to win,” Richard said.
For Houston, their offensive struggles continued in the second half, despite their defense, which forced 13 turnovers. The Cougars shot 35% from the field and 24% from the 3 as the game remained close.
With 46 seconds remaining, Florida took the lead for the first time since leading 8-6 in the first half as Alijah Martin made two free throws to make the score 64-63.
After an additional Florida free throw by Denzel Aberdeen made the score 65-63, Houston had one last chance with the ball and 19 seconds remaining following a timeout.
Coming out of the timeout, Houston’s last effort fell short as they were unable to get a shot off and Florida won their first national championship since 2007.
“We lost by two points,” Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson said. “They made one more play than we did.”
Florida head coach Todd Golden took over the Gator program in 2022 and since then has transformed the program, going 36-4 en route to a No. 1 seed in the tournament before winning the national championship.
“It’s a heck of an accomplishment,” Golden said. “I’m super proud of everybody in my program top to bottom. My staff has been together for three years and has worked incredibly hard to help get our players to this point. Our players, they’ve been the difference all the way along.”
