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The UConn Huskies defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59 in the 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament final. The game was played on April 3, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, and saw the Huskies win their fifth national championship title in five appearances. UConn's Adama Sanogo was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, capping off his performance with a 17-point, 10-rebound game. The Huskies, coached by Dan Hurley, entered the season unranked but quickly rose through the ranks, finishing their non-conference schedule with an 11-0 record.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | April 7, 2025 |
| Winner | Florida Gators |
| Runner-up | Houston Cougars |
| Score | Not specified |
| Location | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas |
| Tournament type | Division I |
| Number of teams | 68 |
| Coach of winning team | Todd Golden |
| Age of coach | 39 |
| Previous wins | Florida: 2006, 2007; Houston: None |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Gators win 2025 NCAA championship
The Florida Gators have won the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, defeating the Houston Cougars 65-63. The game was played on April 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and was a thrilling contest that came down to the final seconds.
This is the Gators' third national title, having previously won in 2006 and 2007. They entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and defeated Norfolk State, UConn, Maryland, Texas Tech, and Auburn to reach the championship game with a record of 35-4.
Their road to the title game was not easy, as they faced tough competition along the way. In the National Semifinal, they defeated Auburn 79-73 behind 34 points from Clayton to advance to the national championship game. This was Florida's fourth appearance in the national championship, previously appearing in 2000, 2006, and 2007.
The Gators' victory is a historic one for the SEC, as it is the conference's first men's national title since 2012 when Kentucky defeated Kansas. Florida's win also marks a return to dominance for the SEC, which had a record-breaking 14 bids in the tournament, with each regional final game featuring an SEC team.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament had several notable moments, including UConn's elimination in the second round by Florida, marking the seventh time in the last eight tournaments that the defending champion failed to make the Sweet 16. Additionally, for the first time since the tournament's expansion to 64 teams, the Sweet 16 was composed entirely of teams from the Power Four conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC). The tournament also had some of the fewest upsets in NCAA history, with only four upsets occurring.
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Houston Cougars' first title loss
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team represents the University of Houston, Texas, in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team began in the 1945–46 season, with their first head coach being Alden Pasche. Under Pasche, the Cougars won the Lone Star Conference regular-season titles in their first two seasons and qualified for postseason play in the NAIA Men's Basketball tournaments in 1946 and 1947.
In the 2008–09 season, the Cougars played a balanced home and away regular season schedule. The team finished the regular season with 15–15 and 7–9 in C-USA, finishing in seventh place in the conference. The Cougars then went on to beat East Carolina in the first round of the C–USA Tournament, before defeating Memphis 66–65, ending a string of four tournament titles for the Tigers.
In the 2006–07 season, the Cougars earned their first national ranking in several years after beating the LSU Tigers and the Arizona Wildcats. However, their success was short-lived, and they began to stumble after a loss to the South Alabama Jaguars in December. The Cougars only won one conference tournament game that season and had to settle for another NIT bid.
The Cougars' first appearance in the championship game was in 1984, where they lost to the Phi Slama Jamma Cougars. In 2025, the Cougars made it to the NCAA Tournament championship game for the first time since 1984. They faced the Florida Gators, who made a comeback in the second half, taking the lead with 46 seconds left. The Cougars struggled with foul trouble throughout the game and ultimately lost, with a final score of 65-63. This was the Cougars' first title loss, as they were denied their first championship.
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Gators' coach Todd Golden's achievement
The Gators' coach, Todd Golden, has achieved remarkable success in his career. Golden, an Israeli-American, was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1985, and attended Sunnyslope High School, where he played basketball and baseball. During his time at Sunnyslope, he showcased his athletic prowess, helping the school win the 2002 Arizona 4A state championship in basketball.
Golden continued to pursue his passion for basketball in college. He enrolled at Saint Mary's College of California in 2003 and played as a guard for the Saint Mary's Gaels from 2004 to 2008. The Gaels appeared in the 2005 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments, demonstrating their team's calibre. Golden's college basketball career spanned 109 games, with 82 starts, and he averaged 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Golden's transition from player to coach began with the San Francisco team. In his inaugural season as head coach, Golden steered the team to a commendable 22–12 record, including a 9–7 conference play record, and a fifth-place finish in the WCC. The following season, the team faced setbacks, but in 2021–22, Golden led them to their most successful season in decades, with a 24–10 record and an NCAA tournament qualification—their first since 1998.
However, it is with the Florida Gators that Golden has truly made his mark. In his first season as head coach, the team faced challenges, finishing with a 16-17 record. Yet, the 2023-24 season witnessed a remarkable turnaround, as the Gators amassed a 24-12 record and advanced to the championship game of the SEC Tournament, ultimately falling to Auburn. This set the stage for the historic 2024-25 season.
Golden, at just 39 years old, led the Gators to their first national title since 2007. The team dominated with a 36–4 record, clinching both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. Golden's strategic prowess and ability to execute in high-pressure situations were evident throughout the tournament, particularly in the Final Four and the national title game. His achievements earned him recognition as a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year, solidifying his place in college basketball history.
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Walter Clayton Jr.'s performance
Despite the Cougars' efforts, Clayton Jr. found his rhythm in the second half. With his team trailing, he drove to the rim for his first basket of the game with eight minutes left, igniting the Gators' offence. Although he had been quiet for most of the game, Clayton Jr. stepped up when it mattered most. With 3:14 remaining, he knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to tie the game at 60, injecting new life into the Gators. This pivotal moment swung the momentum in Florida's favour and propelled them towards their comeback victory.
Clayton Jr.'s ability to rise to the occasion despite the intense defensive pressure demonstrated his mental toughness and resilience. His performance showcased his versatility as a player who could contribute in various ways, whether through scoring or creating opportunities for his teammates. Clayton Jr.'s impact extended beyond the stats sheets, as his presence alone demanded attention from the defence, creating openings for his fellow Gators.
While Clayton Jr. faced challenges in the championship game, his overall performance in the tournament was exceptional. He consistently delivered historically good performances, as mentioned by reporters, and was a key reason the Gators reached the final. His ability to excel under pressure and make clutch plays positioned him as a pivotal figure in the Gators' road to the championship.
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History of NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament that determines the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I men's basketball national champion. The winner is often described by the media as the national champion of college basketball.
The first NCAA tournament was organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, with Oregon defeating Ohio State 46–33 in the inaugural championship game. Before the 1941 tournament, control of the event was handed over to the NCAA. During the early years, the tournament faced competition from the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), which was founded by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association a year before the NCAA tournament.
In the mid-1950s, the NCAA Tournament became the more prestigious of the two events. In 1971, the NCAA barred universities from playing in other tournaments, such as the NIT, if they had received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, the NCAA added a rule banning teams that declined an invitation to the NCAA tournament from participating in other post-season tournaments.
The 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, hosted by Houston, saw the UConn Huskies defeat the San Diego State Aztecs 76–59 in the championship game. This tournament featured several notable upsets, with a total of nine upsets, including four in the first round and three in the second. The UConn Huskies' win marked the second consecutive year that a school won a conference championship while being ineligible to compete in the NCAA tournament due to transitioning to Division I.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Florida Gators won the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, beating the Houston Cougars.
The final took place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The coach of the Florida Gators was Todd Golden, who became the youngest men's basketball coach to win an NCAA title since 1983.
Walter Clayton Jr. of the Gators was the pivotal player in the final. He scored a combined 64 points in his previous two games.
