The Florida Gators have reclaimed their position at the pinnacle of college basketball after edging out Houston with a score of 65-63 in what is considered one of the most thrilling national championship games of this century. Florida staged a remarkable comeback from a 12-point deficit against the Cougars, marking the conclusion of an incredible Final Four weekend, arguably the best in college basketball history.
Florida’s journey to their first national title since 2007 was characterized by their ability to stage dramatic comebacks. They faced a formidable challenge in the NCAA Tournament’s second round against UConn, narrowly escaping by finishing strong. In the Elite Eight, the Gators found themselves down by as many as 10 points in the final minutes against Texas Tech, but responded valiantly thanks to the efforts of Thomas Haugh and Walter Clayton Jr.
A similar scenario unfolded during the Final Four, where Florida needed to overcome a nine-point deficit to secure their spot in the championship game. Remarkably, they are the first national champion in two decades to overcome at least a nine-point deficit in the Elite Eight, semifinal, and final games.
While basking in their recent success, the Gators face the challenge of rebuilding their roster. Key players Clayton, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard have all reached the end of their college eligibility. Additionally, Haugh and fellow big man Alex Condon must now deliberate on whether to declare for the NBA Draft.
What Lies Ahead for the Gators?
In light of Florida’s previous national championship in 2006, when stars Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer chose to remain in school rather than enter the NBA Draft, the potential decisions of Condon and Haugh carry significant weight. Both have potential first-round draft prospects, and their offseason choices will be pivotal for the Gators. Condon had more buzz coming into the tournament, while Haugh’s postseason performances elevated his stock as he emerged as Florida’s standout forward/center.
The return of either player could position them as strong candidates for preseason All-American honors. Florida possesses notable depth in the frontcourt, so even if Condon and/or Haugh leave for the NBA, they can rely on Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten, both of whom are eligible to return. Furthermore, reserve guard Denzel Aberdeen could see increased responsibilities next season if he returns, as he averaged 7.7 points over 39 games.
Florida’s Unconventional Strategy
As noted by CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter, Florida’s triumph marks a unique achievement as the first team in the modern era to win a national championship without having any top-100 recruits. While the Gators include at least three players (Clayton, Condon, and Haugh) projected to play in the NBA soon, none were deemed blue-chip recruits, illustrating a strategy that’s difficult to replicate.
Securing the national title will create momentum for Florida’s recruiting efforts, although they currently have only two commitments for their 2025 class: four-star forward CJ Ingram and four-star combo guard Alex Lloyd. The Gators have effectively constructed their roster by identifying talents in the transfer portal, with Clayton and Martin both being stars at mid-major schools, and Condon and Haugh entering the program as three-star recruits with minimal high-major attention. Upcoming activities in the transfer portal will be crucial to watch as Florida navigates the next phase of team building.
Coaching Changes Ahead
With the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Florida will also face changes on the coaching staff, as assistant coaches Kevin Hovde and John Andrzejek have accepted head coaching roles at Columbia and Campbell, respectively. They chose to finish the season with Florida before moving on. Hovde was responsible for the offensive strategy, while Andrzejek managed the defense. The Gators will now need to shift focus from celebration to finding suitable replacements, with Jonathan Safir, the current Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics, being a potential candidate for promotion.
