March Madness usually promises chaos, but the 2025 season felt like a fever dream that actually made sense by the time the dust settled in San Antonio. If you're looking for the score of championship game ncaa for the men's side, it was a nail-biter: Florida 65, Houston 63.
It wasn't just a win; it was a heist.
Todd Golden, the Gators' head coach, basically became the youngest coach to hoist the trophy since Jim Valvano back in '83. Think about that for a second. While most people were betting on the bracket-busting blue bloods, Florida was busy staging three straight second-half comebacks just to get to the finish line.
The Men's Final: Florida's Great Escape
Honestly, for about 30 minutes of that game at the Alamodome, Houston looked like they had it in the bag. Kelvin Sampson’s defense is legendary for a reason—it feels like trying to run through a car wash while the brushes are hitting you from every angle.
Houston led by as many as 12 points early in the second half.
The Gators were cold.
Walter Clayton Jr., their star, literally hadn't scored a single point in the first half.
But then, things got weird. Florida started chipping away. Will Richard kept them afloat with 18 points, but it was Clayton who finally woke up when the lights were brightest, finishing with 11 points—all in the second half—and a handful of clutch assists that sliced through Houston's "G-Town" defense.
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Key Stats That Actually Mattered
Most people look at the final bucket, but the real story was in the grit.
- Rebounds: Florida 40, Houston 39. (Winning the glass by one against Houston is like winning a marathon by an inch).
- Turnovers: Houston had 9, but 4 of those happened in the final four possessions.
- The MVP: Walter Clayton Jr. took home the hardware because he didn't blink when it counted.
The ending was pure stress. Emanuel Sharp for Houston had the ball with a chance to tie or win, but the Gators' defense swarmed. Alex Condon ended up diving on a loose ball at midcourt as the buzzer sounded.
Florida 65. Houston 63.
The Gators' first title since the Joakim Noah era in 2007.
The Women's Final: A UConn Masterclass in Tampa
Switching gears to the women's side, if you were expecting a close game, you probably tuned out by the third quarter. The score of championship game ncaa for the women was UConn 82, South Carolina 59.
Total. Domination.
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Geno Auriemma finally got his 12th national title, ending a "drought" that had lasted since 2016. For a program like UConn, nine years feels like an eternity.
Why South Carolina Couldn't Keep Up
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are usually the ones doing the bullying. Not this time. UConn’s trio of Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, and Paige Bueckers was just too much.
Sarah Strong, a freshman—yes, a freshman—put up 24 points and 15 rebounds. That’s not supposed to happen in a national championship game. Azzi Fudd matched her with 24 points of her own, and Paige Bueckers, playing her final game before heading to the WNBA as the likely top pick, steered the ship with 17 points and 6 boards.
UConn shot nearly 50% from the field.
South Carolina struggled at 34%.
The Gamecocks got within three points in the second quarter, but UConn went on a 12-3 run to end the third and never looked back.
Beyond the Scoreboard: What These Wins Mean
When you look at the score of championship game ncaa, it tells you who won, but it doesn't tell you the "why."
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Florida's win signals a shift in the SEC. It’s not just a football conference anymore. Todd Golden has built a roster that thrives on transition and "positionless" basketball. They aren't scared of deficits. They’ve basically proven that the "analytics-heavy" approach can survive the physical gauntlet of the NCAA tournament.
On the flip side, UConn’s victory was a reminder that when they are healthy, they are still the gold standard. After years of freak injuries and "what-ifs," seeing Bueckers and Fudd on the floor together at 100% was a treat for anyone who actually likes high-level hoops.
What to Do Now
If you’re a fan looking to relive these moments or prepare for the next season, here’s the move:
- Watch the Replays: The NCAA March Madness YouTube channel has the full men's replay. It’s worth it just to see the final two minutes of Houston vs. Florida.
- Track the Draft: Keep an eye on the 2025 WNBA Draft. Paige Bueckers is gone, and the landscape of women's college basketball is wide open again.
- Look at the 2026 Odds: Florida is losing some key pieces, but Houston returns almost everyone. If you're a betting person, the "revenge tour" for Kelvin Sampson starts the second they leave San Antonio.
The 2025 season is in the books. Florida is back. UConn is back. And honestly? College basketball is in a really good place.