In a game that will be remembered for its drama, grit, and late-game chaos, the Florida Gators completed an incredible comeback to defeat Houston 65-63 and claim the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball national championship at the Alamodome. The victory marks Florida’s first title since 2007 and the third in program history, cementing a season that saw the Gators overcome seemingly insurmountable odds again and again.
Florida Gators secured the 2025 NCAA March Madness championship
Florida Gators trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half, but the Gators refused to fold. Senior guard Will Richard delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 18 points to lead all scorers. Florida stormed back from a 12-point deficit in the second half to edge Houston 65-63 in a nail-biting thriller, securing their third NCAA men’s basketball national championship on Monday.
This was a game of fine margins. In the final minute, Houston had multiple chances to reclaim the lead. With just under 27 seconds left and Florida clinging to a 64-63 advantage, Houston’s Emanuel Sharp dribbled the ball off his leg under defensive pressure, turning the ball over at a critical moment.
After Florida’s Denzel Aberdeen missed one of two free throws, Houston had the ball with a chance to tie or win. But their final possession unraveled in a scramble, with Sharp nearly double-dribbling and no clean shot ever materializing before the buzzer sounded.
The heartbreak continues for the Houston Cougars , who now fall to 0-3 in national title games and have made seven Final Four appearances without winning a championship. Their first-half performance had them poised for a breakthrough. Houston locked down Gators sharpshooter Walter Clayton Jr., holding him scoreless in the first half, and looked fully in control on both ends. But Florida flipped the script in the second half, as they have all tournament long.
The Gators finished the season 36-4, knocked off top-ranked Tennessee and Auburn during the regular season, captured their first SEC tournament title since 2014, and eliminated tournament favorite Auburn again to reach the championship.
Also Read: Victor Wembanyama’s new hairstyle turns heads as he steals spotlight with Hakeem Olajuwon at NCAA final
At just 39 years old, head coach Todd Golden made history of his own, becoming the youngest to win an NCAA title since 1983. Florida’s journey was anything but smooth, but their ability to respond to adversity has defined their run — and now, they are the champions of this year’s March Madness tournament.
Florida Gators secured the 2025 NCAA March Madness championship
YOUR 2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/cFxOQ4NnJt
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) April 8, 2025
Florida Gators trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half, but the Gators refused to fold. Senior guard Will Richard delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 18 points to lead all scorers. Florida stormed back from a 12-point deficit in the second half to edge Houston 65-63 in a nail-biting thriller, securing their third NCAA men’s basketball national championship on Monday.
This was a game of fine margins. In the final minute, Houston had multiple chances to reclaim the lead. With just under 27 seconds left and Florida clinging to a 64-63 advantage, Houston’s Emanuel Sharp dribbled the ball off his leg under defensive pressure, turning the ball over at a critical moment.
YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: THE FLORIDA GATORS 🏆🐊#MarchMadness @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/XatLv5x2hm
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025
After Florida’s Denzel Aberdeen missed one of two free throws, Houston had the ball with a chance to tie or win. But their final possession unraveled in a scramble, with Sharp nearly double-dribbling and no clean shot ever materializing before the buzzer sounded.
The heartbreak continues for the Houston Cougars , who now fall to 0-3 in national title games and have made seven Final Four appearances without winning a championship. Their first-half performance had them poised for a breakthrough. Houston locked down Gators sharpshooter Walter Clayton Jr., holding him scoreless in the first half, and looked fully in control on both ends. But Florida flipped the script in the second half, as they have all tournament long.
NATTY CHAMPS 😤😤😤🤯 pic.twitter.com/j6bHN4aQ06
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) April 8, 2025
The Gators finished the season 36-4, knocked off top-ranked Tennessee and Auburn during the regular season, captured their first SEC tournament title since 2014, and eliminated tournament favorite Auburn again to reach the championship.
Also Read: Victor Wembanyama’s new hairstyle turns heads as he steals spotlight with Hakeem Olajuwon at NCAA final
At just 39 years old, head coach Todd Golden made history of his own, becoming the youngest to win an NCAA title since 1983. Florida’s journey was anything but smooth, but their ability to respond to adversity has defined their run — and now, they are the champions of this year’s March Madness tournament.
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