Andrew Pace
The 2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game determined the national champion for the 2022-23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The game was played on April 3, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, between the San Diego State Aztecs and the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. UConn defeated San Diego State 76–59 to win their fifth national championship in five appearances. Adama Sanogo of UConn was named Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the Final Four.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | Florida |
| Runner-up | Houston |
| Score | 65-63 |
| Winner's Previous Wins | Two other wins since 2006 |
| Venue | Alamodome, San Antonio |
| Winner's Team Name | The Gators |
| Runner-up's Team Name | The Cougars |
| Pivotal Player | Walter Clayton Jr. |
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What You'll Learn
Florida wins the 2025 NCAA championship
Florida has won the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship, defeating the Houston Cougars 65-63. This is Florida's third NCAA championship, their first since 2007. The Gators, led by head coach Todd Golden, overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half to secure their victory.
The championship game was held on April 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, marking the end of the 86th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The tournament began on March 18, 2025, and featured 68 teams out of 355 eligible Division I teams.
Florida, the No. 1 seed from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), advanced to the Final Four after defeating Norfolk State, UConn, Maryland, and Texas Tech. They faced Auburn, the champions of the South Regional, and emerged victorious with a score of 79-73, thanks to an impressive 34 points from Walter Clayton Jr.
In the championship game, Florida faced the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars from the Big 12 Conference. The Gators, led by star guard Walter Clayton Jr., trailed for most of the game but mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half. With just over three minutes left, Florida trailed by nine points, but Clayton's 3-point shots helped them tie the game. In the final minute, the Gators took the lead, ultimately winning by a narrow margin of two points.
The 2025 tournament had a total of four upsets, with three in the first round and one in the second. Florida's victory also marked the first men's national title for the SEC since 2012.
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John Wooden is the coach with the most wins
John Robert Wooden, nicknamed "the Wizard of Westwood", is the greatest basketball coach of all time. He led the UCLA Bruins to ten National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships in a 12-year period, including a record seven in a row. No other team has won more than four consecutive championships in Division I college men's or women's basketball.
Wooden's career as a basketball coach began at Dayton High School in Kentucky, where he spent two years leading "The Green Devils". His first season was his only losing record, with the team winning only six games and losing 11. He then moved back to Indiana, where he spent nine seasons coaching at South Bend Central High School. There, he had a record of 218 wins and 42 losses. After serving in World War II and returning to South Bend Central High School, Wooden accepted a coaching position at Indiana State Teachers College (later renamed Indiana State University). The team's record during this time was 44-15, and they won the Indiana Collegiate Conference Title in both years he was head coach.
In 1948, Wooden accepted the head coaching position at UCLA. The team had recorded only three wins in conference play the season before. Wooden transformed the team, leading them to 22 wins in his first season and improving to 24 wins in his second. They became a dominant force in the Pacific Coast Conference, winning the conference title six times in eleven seasons. During his 27 years as coach of the Bruins, they never had a losing season and achieved a remarkable record of 620-147.
Wooden's success as a coach extended beyond the court. He was known for instilling a spirit of selfless teamwork in his players, always emphasising the importance of passing the ball before shooting. He also shared important life lessons through his books, stories, and speeches, inspiring millions worldwide. In recognition of his impact on college basketball, Wooden was inducted into the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also named "Greatest Coach of All Time" by The Sporting News in 2009.
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The 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled
The 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The tournament was scheduled to begin on March 17, 2020, and conclude with the championship game on April 6. However, on March 12, just five days before it was set to start, the NCAA announced the cancellation of the tournament along with all remaining winter and spring championships for the academic year.
This was the first time the tournament had been cancelled since its inception in 1939. The decision to cancel the tournament was made due to the wider spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with the Ivy League also cancelling its conference tournament on March 10. The NCAA had initially planned to continue with its winter sports championships, including basketball tournaments, with limited attendance. However, as the situation worsened, the decision was made to cancel the entire tournament to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators.
The 2020 tournament would have been the 82nd edition, with 68 teams competing to become the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's college basketball national champion for the 2019-20 season. The championship game was set to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Vice President of Men's Basketball, Dan Gavitt, proposed holding a shortened, 16-team tournament in Atlanta as an alternative, but this proposal was ultimately rejected.
The cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament marked the second time that no official winner was declared for the championship. The first occurrence was in 2013 when the title won by Louisville was vacated due to a sex scandal involving the school and its coach at the time, Rick Pitino.
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Oregon won the first NCAA tournament
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the programme achieving success over many decades. The Ducks first rose to prominence in the late 1930s, when they won the very first NCAA national championship trophy in 1939. This victory cemented Oregon's status as a basketball powerhouse and set the tone for the programme's future success.
In the inaugural NCAA tournament, Oregon emerged as champions, defeating Ohio State 46-33 in the final. This victory was the culmination of a successful campaign that saw the Ducks defeat the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners in the NCAA regional series. With this win, Oregon claimed the national title and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
The Ducks' success in the 1939 NCAA tournament was not a fluke. They had earned their place by winning two games straight to claim the conference title. This victory qualified them for the NCAA regional series, where they continued to dominate. Their victory over the Texas Longhorns by a score of 56-41 and their defeat of the Oklahoma Sooners by a score of 55-37 showcased the team's talent and determination.
The Ducks' road to the national championship was not without challenges. The Ohio State Buckeyes, their opponents in the final, had also demonstrated their skill and determination by defeating Wake Forest and Villanova in their regional series. However, on March 27, 1939, Oregon proved their mettle, outplaying Ohio State to claim the coveted title.
The 1939 NCAA national championship victory was a landmark moment for the Oregon Ducks. It not only solidified their reputation as a top basketball programme but also set a precedent for future success. Over the years, the Ducks have continued to make their mark in the NCAA tournament, with appearances in the 1960s, 2000s, and beyond. The Ducks have consistently demonstrated their prowess, advancing deep into the tournament and even reaching the Elite Eight on multiple occasions.
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Connecticut has the most recent championship wins
The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies have won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship several times in recent years, establishing themselves as one of the top college basketball programs in the country.
UConn won its first national title in 1999, defeating Duke under the leadership of legendary coach Jim Calhoun. Richard "Rip" Hamilton was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. The Huskies added another championship in 2004, again defeating Duke to reach the Final Four before besting Georgia Tech for the national title.
In 2014, UConn made history once more. Led by American Athletic Conference Player of the Year Shabazz Napier, the Huskies became the first #7 seed to win the NCAA Championship. They defeated a series of top-seeded teams, including Florida, Villanova, and Michigan State, before topping the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the final. This victory made UConn the first and only school in NCAA Division I history to have both its men's and women's basketball programs win national championships in the same year, a feat they accomplished again in 2014-2015.
UConn continued its success in 2024, becoming the eighth school in NCAA Division I history to win back-to-back national championships. This achievement led Fox Sports to dub UConn's sustained success "the greatest run of the 21st century." With their combination of talented players, skilled coaching, and a winning culture, the University of Connecticut has established a dynasty in NCAA men's basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The Florida Gators won the 2025 NCAA men's basketball championship, earning their third national title.
The Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars to win the 2025 championship.
UCLA holds the record for the most men's college basketball championship wins with 11 titles.
