The Florida Gators and Houston Cougars will meet in Monday night's title game after getting hard fought wins in the Final Four. The 1st of Saturday's two game slate featured Florida vs Auburn. That game was a tale of two halves.
Auburn owned the opening half and took a 46-38 into the break. It was the 2nd most points Florida has allowed in the 1st half of a game, all season. The Gators clamped down defensively allowing just 27 2nd half points.
Florida did three things as team exceptionally well in the game, especially in the 2nd half. Those three things 1. they held Auburn to just 30% from three point range. 2. They won the battle of the offensive glass. 3. While they were minus in turnover margin, they were plus-10 in points off turnovers.
Guard Walter Clayton Jr. took over Florida in the 2nd half. He finished with a game high 34 points and delivered big buckets at big moments to carry the offensive load. Another Guard Alijah Martin added 17 for Florida.
The Gators will be back in the National Title Game for the 4th time in program history. Monday will mark their 1st appearance in the Finals since their back-to-back National Title run in 2006 and 2007.
In the nightcap, Houston was able to forge a furious comeback on their way to a 60-57 win. Duke led 34-28 at the break and by as many as 14 in the game they had a 9 point led with 2:15 left to go. That's when Houston came alive, the Cougars finished the game on a 15-3 run to win it.
Freshman Phenom Cooper Flagg has a game high 27 points. Houston game a team high 26 from Guard L.J. Cryer. Emmanuel Sharp added 16 and J'Wan Roberts had a double-double of 11 points and a dozen boards.
Houston is back in the National Title game for the 1st time in over 40 years. They fell in back-to-back National Title games in 1983 and 1984 in the "Phi Slamma Jamma" era of the program under legendary Coach Guy Lewis.
The Gators and Cougars will clash for the crown Monday night in San Antonio. Tipoff is scheduled for just before 9PM Eastern.
