A Milestone for Todd Golden
The victory marked a significant milestone for Florida head coach Todd Golden, who, at 39, has transformed the program in just his third season. Known for his data-driven approach, Golden has built a team that thrives in chaos, capable of flipping games with devastating runs. This win sends Florida to its sixth Final Four in program history and the first under Golden’s tenure.
“They’ve done it all year,” Golden said. “Never too high, never too low. We were down nine with under four minutes left, but we dug in, got stops, and made shots. That’s who we are.”
Looking Ahead
Florida now heads to San Antonio for the Final Four, where they’ll face the winner of the Auburn-Michigan State Elite Eight matchup on April 5. With Clayton leading the charge and a supporting cast that rises to the occasion, the Gators are two wins away from their first national title since their back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007.
This 2024-25 squad has already etched its name in Florida lore, reviving a basketball program that had languished in mediocrity since the Billy Donovan era. Whether they hoist the trophy or not, this comeback will be remembered as the moment the Gators announced their return to the national stage. For now, the Swamp is buzzing, and the Final Four awaits.
The 6’8” forward averaged 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a team-high 1.6 steals following..