Gators Chomp Their Way to the Final Four
In an electrifying Elite Eight showdown, the Florida Gators clawed their way into the NCAA Final Four for the
In an electrifying Elite Eight showdown, the Florida Gators clawed their way into the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2014, staging a dramatic 84-79 comeback win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Down 75-66 with just over three minutes left, Florida caught fire, launching an 18-4 run to close out the game. Leading the charge was Walter Clayton Jr., who sank back-to-back threes and racked up 30 points. The Iona transfer’s performance drew comparisons to Steph Curry for his poise and deep-range confidence.
“Right now, there’s nobody in the country I trust more with the ball than Walter,” said Gators head coach Todd Golden, now in his third season.
Adding fuel to the rally was Thomas Haugh, who came off the bench to deliver 20 points and 11 rebounds. His pair of clutch threes helped swing momentum Florida’s way during the frantic final minutes.
Despite a strong 23-point effort from Darrius Williams, Texas Tech couldn’t withstand Florida’s offensive blitz and late-game strategy.
The Gators now punch their ticket to San Antonio, awaiting the winner of Auburn vs. Michigan State. It’s the sixth Final Four appearance in program history—and with momentum on their side, Florida looks primed to chase another national title.
