Many Gator fans got some good news yesterday when the men’s basketball team claimed their victory against Houston, making it their third time as NCAA champions. This was a surprising turn of events, as the Gators have had very close calls throughout the bracket and could have easily lost out if things had gone a different way.
Florida’s defense helped a lot during the finals with Houston, as they allowed themselves to take back Houston’s lead bit by bit until it was too late. Will Richards was also a key player during the game, as his 18-point total can’t be ignored, especially when Walter Clayton Jr. Began to struggle offensively. Walter still did a great job, which is why because of this combined effort they were able to win back the lead.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the Gators’ victory was something that should not have happened if they kept their edge during the late game. At first, they were seemingly unstoppable within the first half, with the Gators only managing to score here and there. For many people watching, it would have been easy to go home or switch to another channel, since it didn’t seem like it would turn out any other way. This could have easily been a blowout if Houston held their lead.
This championship has been a major boost to the team and the fans, as they haven’t seen a win like this since 2007, when Florida won back-to-back titles. I think this is a sign that the Gators are now back on top, and they intend to stay that way. It will certainly be an interesting year for everyone!
