Florida_ The University of Florida Gators are national champions again. The Gators defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 on Monday night to capture the program’s third men’s basketball title and first since winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Florida overcame a 12-point deficit to win the game, the third-largest comeback in national championship game history. The Gators have now won the second-most national championships of any school since 2000, according to ESPN Research. At 39, Todd Golden is the youngest head coach since Jim Valvano (37) won a national title in 1983, also against Houston.
Will Richard led Florida with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Alex Condon added 12. Houston guard L.J. Clare scored a game-high 19. Several NBA stars led the sports world’s excitement for Florida’s title run.