In a nail-biting finish, the No. 1 Florida Gators emerged triumphant with a 77-75 victory over the No. 8 UConn Huskies in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2025. This match marked the end of UConn's remarkable 13-game tournament win streak, a streak that had positioned them as two-time reigning champions.
The game featured an intense back-and-forth battle, with Florida struggling to find its rhythm early on. The first half ended in a 31-31 draw, thanks to Florida's Alijah Martin, who managed to keep the Gators competitive by scoring 14 of his 18 points in that period. UConn seemed to regain momentum after the break, with center Samson Johnson scoring quickly and giving the Huskies a six-point lead midway through the second half. However, it was Gators point guard Walter Clayton Jr. who would steal the spotlight.
Clayton, a senior and an All-American, displayed exemplary composure under pressure. With 2:54 left in the game and UConn leading 61-59, Clayton drained a crucial three-pointer, pushing the Gators ahead 62-61 for their first lead of the second half. He continued his heroics moments later, hitting two free throws after an offensive rebound and finishing the game with another three-pointer, sealing Florida's lead at 70-64.
"At the end, my teammates were trusting me with the ball in my hand to be able to shoot that shot, so I appreciate them for that trust and just sticking with it," Clayton reflected on his decisive moves during the game.
In total, Clayton scored 23 points, with 15 coming in the second half alone; he showcased his shooting prowess by going 5-of-8 from behind the arc. This performance solidified his role as the Gators' go-to player in critical moments of the game, proving vital in their upset over the champions.
Head coach Todd Golden praised Clayton's focus and leadership. "His confidence level never wavers regardless of what's going on and hitting huge shots that allowed us to capitalize and win the game," Golden said. The coach noted that his team made several "winning plays" in the pressure-laden final minutes, essential for clinching the victory after trailing for significant stretches.
Despite the Gators' victory, the game was not without its challenges. Florida struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 15-of-27 in the second half and finishing 22-of-34 for the game. The Gators also surrendered 14 offensive rebounds to UConn and committed several turnovers that nearly cost them the game. UConn, on the other hand, had a rough shooting night, especially from three-point range, making only 8-of-29 attempts.
UConn's head coach Dan Hurley commented on the end of his team's championship reign. "I think it's just a historic run that these guys have been on... if it's going to come to an end for us, I wouldn't have wanted it to be in a game where we lost to a lower seed. There's some honor, I guess, in the way that this went down."
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, UConn's commitment and tenacity throughout the game kept fans on the edge of their seats. Florida, however, proved resilient amidst the pressure, even when their performance waned due to turnovers and missed free throws in the first half. The victory sends the Gators to their first Sweet 16 since 2017 — a significant milestone for a program eager to reclaim its former stature.
Alongside Clayton, Martin and fellow senior Will Richard contributed significantly, scoring 18 and 15 points, respectively. Richard's ability to score key points early in the second half helped keep Florida in contention when UConn initially surged ahead.
As both teams head into the next stages of the tournament, Florida is looking forward to facing either the No. 4 Maryland Terrapins or the No. 12 Colorado State Rams in the Sweet 16. Golden stated, "The time was now for us to take that next step. Being in the Sweet 16 is a great step in the right direction."
The anticipation builds as fans await the next challenge for the Gators, who have proven they can rise to the occasion when it counts most, flipping the script on their previous tournament shortcomings with a historic upset over UConn.
For Florida, the ultimate goal remains: a national championship. The path remains long, but with a team buoyed by veteran leadership and clutch performances, there's hope in Gators country again as they eye their next opponents and the potential for further glory in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
