On April 5th, four teams took center stage at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four at the Alamodome, San Antonio. For just the second time in history all four number one seeds made the Final Four. These teams included: Auburn, Florida, Duke, and Houston. With all top seeds making it to college basketball’s highest stage, the hype around the games was immense, and did not disappoint. Florida stormed back in the second half to knock off SEC rival Auburn, while Houston used their physical strength to barely edge out the best team in the country, the Duke Blue Devils. The result: a Monday thriller title game between Florida and Houston.

In the first half the Auburn Tigers were in control leading by eight. This was due to their star player and National-Player-of-the-Year runner up, Johni Brome. The Tigers looked confident with the ball in their hands and made it difficult for Florida to get into a rhythm. The Gators would flip the script in the second half. Florida came out with a more physical defense, and flashy offense. They would stop Auburn from driving to the basket and forcing them to take bad shots. Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. scored 34 points. Making big shots, driving to the basket, and gave Florida the momentum they needed. As the game went on the teams would go back-and-forth trading blows, but Florida’s defense was too strong and didn’t let Auburn back into the game. The final was score, Florida 79 and Auburn 73.  This win wasn’t just a win, it showed the world that Florida was legit. The team will play for their third National Championship in this century. 

From the opening tip of the Duke vs Houston game it was clear that the game was going to be won and lost on defense. Both Duke and Houston battled every possession like it was their last, it was fast, physical, and intense. Cooper Flagg, freshman sensation, scored a remarkable 27 points making big plays throughout the game. Duke seemed like they were in full control but Houston’s defense came through in the closing minutes shutting off Duke’s offense entirely. The games final plays went like this: Houston down by 3, they would steal and inbound and score a layup, get a foul call on Cooper Flagg, Houston would make both free throws, force Duke miss, nail both free throws again, and force and bad shot by Duke at the buzzer to keep their dream alive. Cougars star guard, L.J. Cryer led the team with 26 points helping them continue their winning streak. Houston didn’t get to the final game with flash and big name players they got there with their physicality and resilience. With the comeback win, the Cougars successfully advanced to the National Championship for the first time since 1984. 

In the Championship Houston’s main goal other than winning was to lock down Florida’s star guard, Walter Clayton Jr. They did that successfully, Clayton Jr. had zero points throughout the first half which gave their offense the ability to play freely. The game would go back and forth through the first half with Will Richard of Florida the only thing keeping Florida within three after one half. The second half was similar. It was going to come down to the final play. Walter Clayton Jr., more than halfway through the second half, still with zero points, finally emerged scoring 11 points in the final five minutes. With 90 seconds left in the game the score was within one: Houston 63 and Florida 62. After a couple of possessions Florida hit a huge three to pull within two but allow Houston to get one final play off. Emmanuel Sharp got the ball and pulled up from three but Clayton put his hand in right at the last second which forced Sharp to throw the ball at the ground to not cause a travel. Florida picked up the ball and that was the game. 

Even though the Gators were a one seed and one of the favorites it was still an incredible run. Florida had easy wins in the first and third round, but close victories in second, fourth, and both the Final Four and National Championship games. Walter Clayton Jr. even with a poor final game was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Florida added their third championship in the past 18 years letting everyone know that they are back. Although Houston, Auburn, and Duke suffered losses on the big stage they will be back. The 2025 March Madness ends with a champion that no one will ever forget.