Florida ends UConn's reign over men's college basketball with close March Madness win

The Florida Gators’ clutch shooting precocious successful their second-round men’s hoops tourney matchup helped sound disconnected the two-time defending champion UConn Huskies connected Sunday, 77-75.

No. 1 Florida didn’t pb astatine each until 2:44 near successful the game. Guard Walter Clayton Jr. nailed a 3-pointer and past a Huskies turnover led to a breakaway dunk from Will Richard. It was a portion of a 6-0 tally and the Gators ne'er looked back.

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Florida defender Alijah Martin celebrates aft scoring against UConn, Sunday, March 23, 2025, successful Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Alijah Martin aboriginal threw down a dunk disconnected of an violative rebound to enactment the exclamation constituent connected the melodramatic victory.

The crippled was tied astatine 31 astatine halftime aft UConn’s Hassan Diarra nailed a 3-pointer. It appeared the Huskies were astir to physique momentum to stun 1 of the champion teams successful the nation. But Florida kept it close. The Huskies ne'er had a pb larger than six points.

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Connecticut guardant Liam McNeeley reacts aft making a 3-point changeable against Florida, Sunday, March 23, 2025, successful Raleigh. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Clayton finished with 23 points. He was 6-of-14 from the tract and 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Martin added 18 points and Richard had 15.

Liam McNeely, who deed a buzzer-beater earlier the extremity of the game, led the Huskies with 22 points.

The Gators volition beryllium backmost successful the Sweet 16 for the archetypal clip since 2017 nether Michael White. The squad mislaid successful the archetypal circular past play and exited the 2nd circular 3 times earlier that.

Florida won the SEC Championship this play connected the mode to earning the No. 1 effect successful the West Region. The squad volition play the victor of No. 12 Colorado State and No. 4 Maryland.

Florida caput manager Todd Golden reacts during the Connecticut game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, successful Raleigh. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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The Huskies’ nonaccomplishment ended the program’s changeable astatine 3 consecutive assemblage hoops titles. UConn defeated San Diego State successful 2023 and topped Purdue past year.

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