Florida Versus Houston National Championship Preview

Photos from the first half as the #5 ranked Florida Gators mens basketball team hosts the Texas Longhorns at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. January 18th, 2025. Gator Country Photo by David Bowie.Earning their ticket with a spirited win over Auburn in the Final Four, the Florida Gators will now set their sights towards the ultimate goal–the National Championship game against the Houston Cougars. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, two of the hottest teams that everyone was picking in their bracket was Florida on the “left” side and Duke in the “right.” Florida was a team that was playing their best basketball heading into the postseason, and Duke was right there with them–though their hot stretch went a little further back, having only 1 loss since the end of November. It really looked like it was going to be the Blue Devils to join the Gators in the National Championship as they were up on the Cougars 59-45 with just over eight minutes remaining, and with all the momentum in their favor.

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