The Florida Gators face off against the Connecticut Huskies today in a thrilling second round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Both teams have shown their prowess in the opening rounds, but only one will advance to the Sweet 16.
After dominating their first round game against the No. 16-seed Norfolk State, the No. 1 Gators (31-4) are riding a wave of momentum into the contest, having achieved a decisive 95-69 victory. Led by the standout performance of Walter Clayton Jr., who scored 23 points, Florida controlled the game from the outset, even leading by as many as 32 points during the first half. They capitalized on their rebounding with 21 offensive boards and held Norfolk State to a dismal 2-for-14 from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, the No. 8-seed Huskies (24-10) are no strangers to success, coming off a nail-biting win against Oklahoma, 67-59, marking their 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament victory. UConn, the two-time defending champions, will try to extend that streak not just today, but throughout the tournament.
“We know the quality that we are playing against,” said UConn's coach Dan Hurley. He acknowledged the challenge of facing a formidable Florida team. “To be able to come here and fight our way in, give ourselves an opportunity to play one of the best teams in the country that reminds me of what we put on the floor in Florida — just a lot of honor in facing the last team that went back-to-back.”
Today's game, which tips off at 12:10 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, will be broadcast on CBS. With Florida aiming for its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2017, expectations are high. The Gators' perfect March record (7-0) further fuels their confidence as they’ve averaged an impressive 94.0 points per game this month.
Historically, Florida and UConn split their previous tournament matchups, with Florida winning in 1994 and UConn prevailing in 2014. However, it's UConn that holds the upper hand in recent years, winning the last five meetings. With the stakes high and both teams looking to advance, it promises to be an exhilarating clash.
To keep Florida's winning momentum going, they will rely on their standout offensive efficiency. The Gators not only lead the NCAA in offensive efficiency but also rank second overall in the KenPom ratings, proving their prowess on both sides of the court. In March, they have utilized their three-point shooting, averaging 10.9 three-pointers per game and chalking up significant numbers at the free-throw line, with 19.1 attempts.
Walter Clayton Jr. has solidified his place in Florida's history, surpassing the 2,000-point career milestone, an achievement accomplished by only four other players currently active. With 1,235 points over his two seasons, he is quickly closing in on the legendary Neal Walk’s record of 1,312 points from 1967-69. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc is also notable, as his 194 three-pointers trail only Lee Humphrey's record of 226 in Gators history.
Interestingly, Hurley expressed admiration for Florida’s physical game style, recalling his successful teams during their back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. The Huskies’ key players, such as Samson Johnson and Alex Karaban, would need to match Florida's intensity on the boards, where the Gators recently demonstrated dominance against Norfolk State.
In their first round game, while Florida controlled the boards against Norfolk State, UConn, too, showed resilience, narrowly winning the rebounding battle against Oklahoma. The performances now hinge on which team can set the tempo—Florida aims for a faster pace, while UConn might look to slow the game down.
Excitement builds as tip-off approaches. Who will emerge victorious in this storied NCAA Tournament rivalry? Fans are encouraged to tune in to CBS for what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
With both teams so well matched, the prediction on many lips is that Florida will edge past UConn with a score of 79-67, securing their spot in the next round. This matchup, rich with history and competitive spirit, underscores the essence of March Madness.
