The two teams playing for the Championship, Florida Gators VS Houston Cougars, both were first seeds. 

Florida got there with help from grad transfer Walter Clayton Jr. throughout the tournament. Clayton Jr. was the star of the tournament, and he averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.3 Rebounds a game, and a half assist per game.  Houston got to the championship game with a few lucky calls, such as the questionable over the back call late in the game on star player Cooper Flag, and a missed charge call in the sweet 16.  

The game was played on Houston terms. Houston, with 5 minutes left in the first half,  was up 29-21 in the game. Florida ended the first half on a 7-2 run, making it 31-28 Houston at the half. 

In the second half the game again was dominated by Houston despite being in foul trouble for most of the second half. Houston jumped out in the second half to a 42-30 lead with 16 minutes left in the game. But Florida closed the game with a 35-21 run. 

Houston choked on the last possession; Emmanuel Sharp was caught in between whether or not to shoot or pass the ball, so he ended up traveling. Florida ended up winning the National Championship game 65-63 despite their best player. Walter Clayton Jr. scored only 11 points.  Houston, they have to be wondering what it will take to win a national championship. Houston’s star player L.J. Cryer led all scorers in the game with 19 points, but that was not enough in a losing effort.  

It was an entertaining national championship game.  Florida winning shows the SEC is now a competitive basketball conference. Congratulations to Florida for winning.