Florida Gators made a thrilling return to the Final Four, overcoming a daunting 10-point deficit in the final minutes to defeat Texas Tech Red Raiders 84-79 in a nail-biting Elite Eight matchup on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
The Gators, who are the No. 1 seed in the tournament, secured their first Final Four appearance since 2014, thanks to a spectacular performance from Walter Clayton Jr., who scored a game-high 30 points, including crucial baskets down the stretch.
With just over six minutes left in the game, Florida found themselves trailing 71-61 and in dire need of a spark. Clayton Jr. responded by hitting his first three-pointer of the night, igniting a comeback that would see the Gators outscore the Red Raiders 18-4 in the closing minutes.
“They’ve done it all year,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said. “They stayed the course—never too high and never too low. We just had to dig in and get some stops.”
As the clock wound down, Clayton Jr. tied the game at 75 with a three-pointer with just 90 seconds remaining. Texas Tech's Darrion Williams briefly restored the lead with a layup, but Clayton Jr. answered back with a go-ahead three-pointer with 59 seconds left, sealing the victory for Florida.
“I just got all these guys around me,” Clayton said after the game. “We don’t spread apart in adversity. We come together. The whole team, we all did it together.”
Florida’s victory was marked not only by clutch shooting but also by their impressive free throw performance. The Gators hit 25 of 27 attempts from the charity stripe, a stark contrast to Texas Tech’s struggles, where they managed only 7 of 13.
Thomas Haugh also played a significant role in the win, contributing 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Haugh’s performance was pivotal as he hit key shots during the Gators’ comeback run.
“Great teams are as good as their players lead them,” Golden added. “Walter has done a great job all year that way. And Tommy played his tail off for us across every game this season.”
Texas Tech, the No. 3 seed, had a strong showing throughout the game, with Williams leading the way for the Red Raiders with 23 points. Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin added 20 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
The Red Raiders started the game hot, hitting six of their first seven shots from beyond the arc, which helped them build an early lead. However, Florida managed to keep pace, thanks in part to their free throw shooting, which allowed them to remain competitive despite their shooting struggles.
As the game progressed, Texas Tech extended their lead to 10 points after a 12-2 run midway through the second half, leaving Florida in a precarious position. However, the Gators showed resilience, rallying back to take control in the final minutes.
“I thought they played a great game today,” Golden remarked about Texas Tech. “Controlled different facets of the game that we usually do. They had our backs against the wall.”
Florida’s defensive efforts improved significantly in the closing moments, as they limited Texas Tech’s high-scoring offense and capitalized on their own opportunities. The Gators’ ability to hit four consecutive three-pointers in the final two minutes was crucial to their comeback.
“There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment,” Golden said, reflecting on Clayton’s clutch performance.
With this victory, Florida has now reached the Final Four for the sixth time in program history and is two wins away from claiming their first national championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
The Gators will face either No. 1 Auburn or No. 2 Michigan State in the Final Four, with that matchup set to take place next weekend in San Antonio. The anticipation is already building for what promises to be an exciting showdown.
“Definitely going to enjoy tonight, possibly tomorrow,” Clayton Jr. said about the upcoming Final Four. “We don’t know yet. Then we’ll see who we’re going to play, watching the games, focus on the next one. We understand it’s not over yet.”
Florida’s journey through March Madness has been nothing short of impressive, as they remain undefeated in the tournament with a perfect 10-0 record in March. The Gators are averaging 90.6 points per game while allowing 76.9 points, showcasing their offensive firepower and resilience.
As the Final Four approaches, all eyes will be on Florida to see if they can continue their remarkable run and add another chapter to their storied basketball history.
