CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander got an exclusive look into the Florida locker room after Monday’s national championship game win, giving an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to win a title. He also saw the Gators’ game plan.
Florida, who came back from down 12 in the second half, cut down the nets for the first time since 2007 when they won back-to-back championships under head coach Billy Donovan and with returning stars Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Corey Brewer.
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Norlander’s reporting, which included a boat ride along the San Antonio River with the winning team, showed Florida’s assignments and roles for the national championship game.
Behind the scenes with the Florida Gators, with photos and videos. pic.twitter.com/ck7tierkcn
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 8, 2025
The Gators assigned senior guard Will Richard to guard top Houston guard L.J. Cryer. While Cryer scored 19 points, a touch above his NCAA tournament average 18.7, Richard held him to 4-11 shooting from beyond the arc.
Gator star Walter Clayton Jr. was on Emanuel Sharp duty, and held the junior to his lowest point total since the first round of the tournament, including the game, and championship, winning stop, where Sharp was unable to get a shot off.
6’11” sophomore Alex Condon held J’Wan Roberts to eight points, sophomore center Rueben Chinyelu held sophomore Joseph Tugler to five and senior Alijah Martin held Milos Uzan to six.
Head coach Todd Golden’s game plan had Clayton driving often to the hole while Martin brought up the ball.
“[The] physically & mentally tougher team will win. Nothing magical… just be who we’ve been all year,” Golden wrote.
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Golden also wrote down the team’s areas of emphasis: defend, rebound, and take care of the ball. The Gators aimed for seven or more kills — stopping Houston on defense three or more times in a row — an advantage of at least ten on the glass — the Gators outrebounded the Cougars 40-39 — and less than 12 turnovers — the Gators had 13.
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