The 2025 NCAA Tournament concludes Monday night when No. 1 seed Houston faces No. 1 seed Florida in a heavyweight title showdown, tipping off at 9:20 p.m. ET on CBS. This is only the 11th time in tournament history that two top seeds have advanced to the national championship.
After erasing a deficit to edge past Duke, Houston enters the final as a slight 1-point favorite. Florida earned its spot by taking down the tournament’s top overall seed, Auburn. Both teams ride 10-game winning streaks and are eyeing a historic championship run.
Preview: Offensive Glass, Perimeter Defense Set the Stage for Houston vs. Florida Showdown
Houston’s stunning rally against Duke flipped the script in Saturday’s Final Four. Trailing by 14 with just over eight minutes remaining, the Cougars stormed back to win, marking Duke’s first close contest of the tournament.
Sportsbooks had Duke as high as -10000 in-game, making the collapse all the more shocking. Joseph Tugler’s crucial offensive rebound in the final minute was among Houston’s 18 second-chance boards—an area that could define Monday’s title game again.
Florida secured its championship berth earlier by defeating SEC foe Auburn for the second time this season. The Gators faced their own adversity, trailing by eight early in the second half and clinging to a one-point lead with under four minutes to go. Florida pulled 12 offensive rebounds in the win and has ranked in the top five nationally in offensive rebounding percentage all year. Houston, likewise, has been among the top 10.
Perimeter defense and shot selection will be decisive. Houston attempts fewer close twos than most, with under 25% of their attempts coming near the rim. Florida defends the arc well, holding Auburn to 7-for-25 from deep. Houston counters with elite 3-point shooting, hitting 10-of-22 against Duke and nearly 40% for the season.
Key Players To Watch Out for Championship Game
Houston enters the title game leaning on guard LJ Cryer, who tallied 26 points and hit 6 of 10 from beyond the arc in the win over Duke. His late free throws sealed the comeback. Jamal Shead, the Cougars’ on-ball pest and floor general, anchors their defense and dictates the pace. Emanuel Sharp has emerged as a reliable shooter, averaging 2.6 threes over his last 10 outings.
Florida counters with AP All-American Walter Clayton Jr., averaging 34 points over his last two games and broke the program’s single-game Final Four scoring record with 34 against Auburn. Alijah Martin, shooting 51% over the past 10 games, provides versatility in the frontcourt. Florida’s rotating bigs dominate the glass, ranking fifth nationally in offensive rebounding.
Statistically, Houston leads the nation in scoring defense (58.3 PPG allowed) and opponent field-goal percentage (38.2%). Florida is scoring 89.6 PPG over its last 10 contests.
Stakes: Legacy, History, and a National Title
Florida’s deep frontcourt rotation has worn opponents down all season, but Houston’s physical interior defense—anchored by the nation’s top-scoring defense (58.3 PPG)—poses a different challenge.
Houston also leads in 3-point shooting, powered by LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan. Behind Walter Clayton Jr. and its No. 5-ranked offensive rebounding rate (38.9%), Florida will look to control the paint. The winner inside could decide the game.
KEEP READING: Watch: Passionate Kelvin Sampson Goes Wild Courtside as Houston Reaches Title Game
This is the second time all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four. Florida seeks its first title since 2007; Houston is chasing the program’s first-ever championship.
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