The 2025 NCAA Championship game takes place Monday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Both Florida and Houston enter the game with identical 35-4 records. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:50PM ET.
Florida won the SEC and comes in off 11 straight wins, including a comeback victory over Auburn in the Final Four. Houston won the Big 12 and erased a late deficit to beat Duke on Saturday. This is the first title game appearance for both teams since the 2000s.
FLA Preview – Offense Leads the Way for Gators
Florida has one of the best scoring teams in the country, putting up 85.3 points per game. The Gators have five players averaging at least 9.9 points, including top scorer Walter Clayton Jr. at 18.5. Clayton had 34 points in the semifinal win and leads all players in tournament scoring.
Florida shoots 47.3% from the field and ranks in the top 10 nationally in rebounds per game. Guards Alijah Martin and Will Richard both average over 13 points per game and contribute on the boards. The frontcourt duo of Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh adds size and mobility around the rim.
Florida has hit the over in 11 of its last 12 games and has covered the spread in 25 of its last 34. They are also a strong first-half team, hitting the first-half moneyline in 28 of 38 games this season. The Gators have scored over 80 points in each of their last five tournament games.
HOU Preview – Defense and Shooting Power the Cougars
Houston ranks first in scoring defense at 58.5 points allowed per game. The Cougars also lead the country in opponent field goal percentage and allow just 19.6 made field goals per game. Their strength is forcing tough shots and controlling the glass on both ends.
LJ Cryer leads Houston in scoring at 15.6 points per game. He made eight shots and scored 26 in the comeback win against Duke. Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan round out a guard trio that shoots a combined 40% from three and scores over 39 points per game together.
Houston is 10-0 in road games and has won 18 straight overall. The Cougars have covered the first-half spread in 31 of their last 39 games. Big men J’Wan Roberts and Joseph Tugler lead the rebounding effort and both had double-digit boards in the Final Four win.
Betting Prediction
Florida is a slight favorite at -1.5 with a total of 141.5. The Gators play fast and score often, but they will be tested by the best defense they’ve seen all season. Houston’s ability to slow the game down and defend the paint could swing this in their favor.
Both teams are deep and well-coached. Florida has more scoring weapons, but Houston’s defense and experience give them a real shot. If Houston limits second chances and keeps Clayton in check, they should pull off the win. A final score of 67-64 Houston makes sense.
Pick: Houston Cougars +1.5
Kelvin Sampson and his Cougars, out of the Big 12 cut down the nets as they top the Florida Gators in the title game on Monday night. Enjoy the game and good luck!
