The NCAA championship clash between the Florida Gators and the Houston Cougars was reportedly the most-watched basketball game of 2025. The game drew an astronomical 18.1 million viewers, surpassing even Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the OKC Thunder and Indiana Pacers, which drew 16.4 million viewers.
The Florida Gators’ fan account (@gatorsszn) posted:
“Florida-Houston was the MOST watched basketball game ever of 2025 with 18.1 million viewers 🤯”
Florida-Houston was the MOST watched basketball game ever of 2025 with 18.1 million viewers 🤯
Florida-Auburn was the 4th most watched game with 14.8 million viewers 🤯
LOGO. HOLDS. WEIGHT. pic.twitter.com/04QhLas9ra
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) June 24, 2025
They later clarified the post to correct the phrasing:
“‘Most watched game of 2025’ not ever of 2025 😔”
Later, Barstool Coogs released the rankings of the top 10 most-watched basketball games of 2025. They are as follows:
- Florida vs Houston – 18.1M
- Thunder vs Pacers (Game 7) – 16.4M
- Houston vs Duke – 16.3M
- Florida vs Auburn – 14.8M
- Auburn vs Michigan State – 11.7M
- Kentucky vs Texas – 9.9M
- Duke vs Alabama – 9.8M
- NBA Finals Game 5 – 9.5M
- NBA Finals Game 4 – 9.4M
- NBA Finals Game 2 – 9.4M
Don’t talk to me unless your program has 2 of the top 3 most watched basketball games of 2025 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iYjUeOsVuS
— Barstool Coogs (@BarstoolCoogs) June 25, 2025
Florida Beat Houston In The Most-Watched Basketball Game of 2025
The game between Florida and Houston was a tale of two halves. Houston took a three-point lead at intermission, and extended it to a 42-30 advantage early in the second half. This happened because the Gators struggled from deep, making only 6-of-24 3-point attempts.
However, in the second half, Florida rallied back behind Will Richard’s 18 points. Moreover, Walter Clayton Jr., who had a bad game going, turned on the clutch mode to ignite the comeback on Florida’s behalf.
In the final minute, after Alijah Martin hit two free throws to make it 64–63, Florida’s defense clamped down on the Cougars. Emanuel Sharp never got a clean look at a tying 3 and lost the ball while contested. As a result, Florida won the game 65-63.
After the game, Gators coach Todd Golden said:
“We did what we did all year. We stayed the course. We have the best backcourt in America. I think we had the best frontcourt in America. We made plays when we needed them the most like all year. We guarded our butts off down the stretch. Made every 50-50 winning play. The Gators are natty, baby. We got the natty, baby. Let’s go.”
This was Florida’s third national title and the first since 2007.
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