As the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four culminates in San Antonio, anticipation builds for Monday’s title clash between Florida and Houston. At the center of the spotlight is Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., the odds-on favorite for Most Outstanding Player honors.
His standout performances have separated him from the field, with Houston’s LJ Cryer emerging as his primary competition.
Florida’s Walter Clayton Leads MOP Odds as NCAA Championship Nears
With both stars leading their respective teams to the national championship game, the MOP race has narrowed to a thrilling two-man battle, and oddsmakers have Clayton holding the edge heading into the tournament’s final showdown.
With the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament concluding tonight in San Antonio, all attention is on the Alamodome as Florida and Houston prepare for the national championship (8:50 p.m. ET, CBS). The race for Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP) has come into sharp focus, with Florida’s Clayton Jr. leading the latest odds.
Clayton is listed at +100, giving him a 50% implied probability of winning, per FanDuel Sportsbook. Houston’s LJ Cryer follows at +160 (38.46%), while teammates Emanuel Sharp (+950) and J’Wan Roberts (+1600) remain long shots.
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Final Four Most Outstanding Player 2025.
Walter Clayton +100
LJ Cryer +160
Emanuel Sharp +950
J’Wan Roberts +1600
Milos Uzan +2000
Alijah Martin +2900Via @FDSportsbook.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 7, 2025
Clayton has earned his spot atop the board after averaging over 22 points per game during Florida’s March Madness run. His 34-point performance in the Gators’ 79–73 win over Auburn included five made 3-pointers and a clutch 8–3 scoring run he completed single-handedly.
The senior guard’s efforts have been historic—becoming the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to post consecutive 30-point games this deep into the tournament. His production extends beyond scoring, contributing 4.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest, while also earning First-Team All-SEC honors this season.
With Florida defeating UConn, Texas Tech, and Auburn to reach the final, Clayton’s leadership has made him the focal point of the Gators’ offense.
On the other side, Cryer is looking to become the first player ever to win NCAA titles at two schools. He was a freshman on Baylor’s 2021 championship squad but didn’t play in the title game—an experience he’s admitted continues to drive him.
His 26 points in Houston’s Final Four win powered a historic comeback, making him a strong candidate for MOP.
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Sharp, currently at +950, has averaged 14.5 points and provided elite defense. His deep three in the final minute helped turn the tide in Houston’s semifinal win over Duke, further boosting his dark-horse case for the award.
Clayton remains the favorite, but tonight’s result could quickly change the narrative.
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