The 2025 NCAA March Madness Men‘s Basketball playoff series was full of upsets, tears and breakout players. After the multiple playoff brackets it was the Florida Gators who sat atop the throne. After their final four win against Auburn 79-73 they were set to play Houston who secured their ticket with a tight win against Duke 70-67. Under the coaching of head coach Todd Golden, the Gators captured their third national title and also its first since 2007. On April 7th at Alamodome in San Antonio the Gators secured their national title win 65–63 over the Houston Cougars.
Florida came into March Madness as the West Region number one seed and made a quick impact. The Gators blew out Norfolk State in the first round with a dominating 95–69 win. A tough test came quick, though, as they faced UConn, two-time defending national title champion, in the second round. In an open game, Florida closely defeated the Huskies 77–75 with star point guard Walter Clayton Jr. who went for 23 points — 13 in the final eight minutes — to stop UConn’s run for a historic three-peat.
Bringing that energy into the Sweet 16, the Gators sweeped Maryland 87–71 on a solid team effort with the help of their stifling defense and deepbench scoring. In the Elite Eight, they were in a slump, being two scores behind Texas Tech. But with the swift shooting of Clayton Jr. and defensive adjustments, Florida came racing back to secure the win with a 84–79 final score and return to the Final Four for the first time since 2014!
The Gators met their SEC rival Auburn in the national semifinals. One of the tournament’s toughest games they counted on, Clayton Jr who broke out for 34 points to propel Florida over Auburn 79–73 into the championship game.
The Houston game was everything it was said to have been in the title game. Houston size and pressure defense put the pressure on Florida initially, and the Cougars took an early second–half lead of 12. But the Gators did not panic. On the strength of good timing plays by Alex Condon, Will Richard, and a tough, team defense, Florida wore down the lead. Clayton Jr. gave a timely steal in the final minute and made two free throws to seal the game. Florida finished the 65–63 comeback win, and Gator Nation went insane.
This National Title game was a solid team effort. Thomas Haugh and Alijah Martin contributed in the final critical minutes, while toughness and depth set Florida apart. Florida head coach Todd Golden, in only his third year of coaching, proved himself to be one of the brightest young coaching stars in college basketball..
Walter Clayton Jr., however, was the heart and the most consistent of the Gators. Selected Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, he. averaged 21.8 points per contest in the tournament and was a “MVP”. His shooting, calm demeanor under pressure, and leadership were the characteristics of Florida‘s magical March and was what they needed in those final games of sweat and pressure..
Clayton Jr. ‘s journey from switching to Iona two years ago, putting in the work to improve his game, and leading Florida to a national title was quickly found to be the story of the 2025 tournament that had fans in awe.
March Madness, where the best of the best come to town, all swarming for a National Title Trophy all show the true meaning of what grit and teamwork are. The Gators showed up and did what they had to do even in the toughest moments and final minutes on the clock.
