Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida to a 79-73 victory over Auburn in the Final Four on Saturday night, securing a spot in the national championship game for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. The All-America guard’s stellar performance propelled the Gators (35-4) past their Southeastern Conference rival, setting up a thrilling showdown in the title game.
After an impressive showing by SEC teams in the NCAA Tournament, the Gators emerged victorious in a highly competitive Final Four that featured multiple No. 1 seeds. Florida now looks ahead to Monday night’s championship game at the Alamodome, where they will face either Duke or Houston in their quest for the SEC’s first title since 2012.
In the other semifinal matchup, Houston staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Duke 70-67, dashing the Blue Devils’ title hopes in a stunning upset. Houston’s suffocating defense and clutch free throws in the final seconds propelled them to victory over the heavily favored Duke team.
Both Florida and Houston are now gearing up for an epic title clash that promises to be a thrilling finale to an exciting NCAA tournament.
