Following Florida’s 79-73 Final Four victory over the Auburn Tigers, Gators’ head coach Todd Golden praised Auburn and coach Bruce Pearl—as well as his own team’s heart and toughness. What did he say?
Golden Heaps Praise After Gators Final Four Win
In just three seasons, coach Todd Golden has led the Florida Gators back to the promised land. Making their first Final Four appearance in 11 years, Golden’s squad held off SEC rival Auburn, 79-73, to advance to Monday night’s national championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
At his postgame press conference, Golden had nothing but praise for his players and staff.
“I’m just so, so proud of my team,” Golden said. “My players and my staff have just done an incredible job all year with their preparation and approach on a daily basis … obviously a great accomplishment for our program to make it here to the Final Four, but the heart and the toughness, both physically and mentally, that these guys showed today—I thought was incredible.”
Golden also credited Auburn, the SEC regular-season champions, and head coach Bruce Pearl, who led the Tigers to a 32-6 finish.
“Credit Auburn—obviously an incredible team, one of the best college basketball teams in the past couple of decades,” Golden said. “You all know how much I love Bruce and Steven and their program.”
Florida last reached the national championship game in 2007 under coach Billy Donovan, who guided the Gators to back-to-back titles. Golden, who arrived in Gainesville three years ago from San Francisco, is now just one win away from joining that exclusive club.
“I am incredibly proud of these guys for getting this win,” Golden said. “And we’re alive, man. We’re playing for this national championship on Monday night.”
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The Gators will now play in the National Championship Game on Monday night, facing off against the Duke Blue Devils or Houston Cougars.
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