San Antonio, TX. – It is good to be a Florida Gator. The pun is intended.
The Florida Gators faced challenges at the beginning of the basketball game and during the middle of the second half; however, it is evident from this NCAA Tournament that “the Gator Boys stay hot.”
The Gators successfully navigated the intense defensive pressure from the Houston Cougars, overcoming a 12-point deficit to secure a 65-63 victory in a thrilling NCAA title game that was ultimately decided when the Gator defense stopped Houston’s attempt to make a game-winning shot at the buzzer.
“We did what we did all year, we stayed the course, we have the best backcourt in America, we have the best front court in America,” Gators Head coach Todd Golden said. “Like we done all year we made plays when we needed it the most. We guard our best down the stretch, we made every 50-50 winning play.”
Florida has secured its third national championship, adding to the titles won in 2006 and 2007.
Walter Clayton Jr. concluded the game with 11 points; all scored in the second half. However, he will be most remembered for interrupting Houston’s Emanuel Sharp during his shooting motion as Sharp attempted a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds.
“This is a feeling I can’t explain,” Clayton Jr. said. “I can’t wait to see my mom, I love you mom.”
As Sharp sought space, Clayton approached him quickly. The Houston guard lost possession of the ball and, unable to retrieve it without risking a traveling violation, observed it bounce away.
Alex Condon skillfully intercepted the ball and passed it to Clayton, who sprinted toward the opposite free-throw line as the buzzer sounded. He proudly adjusted his jersey before the court was filled with Gator cheers and orange and blue confetti.
“The way we won tonight is an exclamation mark on the year and great to win like that,” Clayton Jr. added. “The fact that we are a brother hood, and picking ourselves up all year.”
The Gators, having trailed by 12 points, have achieved a victory that now ranks tied as the third largest comeback in the history of the national championship game.
“The game was not going our way for majority of the night,” 39-year-old Golden added. “We did a great job of displaying toughness and fighting back in the ball game.”
The Gators faced a deficit of nine points or more in the second half of each of their final three victories en route to securing the championship.
Houston has reached the Final Four seven times without securing a championship title.
“I am going through those last two possessions more than anything else,” Cougars head coach Kevin Sampson said. “It is incomprehensible in that situation we could not get a shot.”
Rather than the 69-year-old Sampson setting a record as the oldest coach to win the championship, the 39-year-old Golden achieves the distinction of being the youngest coach to claim the title since N.C. State’s Jim Valvano in 1983.
Entering the game, Houston had an impressive record of 33-0 when allowing fewer than 70 points. This marked the first occasion this season that they experienced a loss under those circumstances.
“I wanted it so bad for them and it hurts. I can’t do it next year. I can’t put myself in position to do it next year,” Houston forward J’Wan Roberts said. “It is the last time I will be wearing my jersey and I feel terrible. I told the younger guys to remember this feeling, so when you are in this situation again. You will be on top. Everything you go through in life is a lesson.”
A total of four fouls were called in the first half, whereas 23 fouls were called in the second half. With twelve minutes remaining, both teams were in the bonus.
Will Richard contributed 18 points, helping to keep Florida competitive in the first half, where he accounted for 14 of the team’s 28 points. Gators head coach Golden likely found it encouraging that, despite the team committing 9 turnovers in that first half, they were only trailing by a single possession, even with Clayton Jr. not scoring any points.
“We all love each other, we love playing for each other,” Richard said. “We love being a Gator, Gator boys stay hot.”
During the final possession, Florida displayed exceptional defensive skills. Clayton Jr. executed a solid closeout on Emmanuel Sharp, forcing him to come down with the ball instead of attempting a shot. If Sharp had picked up the ball, it would have resulted in a traveling violation. He was in position to box out, anticipating a teammate would secure possession. Florida’s ability to conclude the game with a defensive stop was highly commendable. Similar to their performance in the second half against Auburn, they intensified their defensive efforts, limiting Houston to just 31 percent shooting in that period. When Houston encountered foul trouble and opted to play smaller, Florida capitalized on the opportunity by driving to the basket, which resulted in them earning trips to the free-throw line. Ultimately, the free-throw differential proved to be a decisive factor in the game.
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