Florida beat Houston, 65-63, in a game where the Gators only lead for 1:04.

Houston’s defense dictated the game all night, holding Florida to under 40% from the field and 25% from three. The Cougars also grabbed 15 offensive boards, held the Final Four Most Outstanding Player to 11 points and forced 13 turnovers.

So, how did Florida win the title?

Florida’s defense stepped up in the most important game of the season. The Gators are 104th in defensive scoring, giving up 69.8 points on average, but against Houston they held the Cougars to 63 points, shooting 34.8% from the field and 24% from three.

The Gators have what some consider the best backcourt in college basketball and it showed tonight. Florida’s starting backcourt scored 36 of the Gators 65 points. Leading the way was Senior Will Richard who needed to step up. Richard scored 18 points, going 57.1% from three and 50% from the field, while also grabbing eight rebounds.

Houston held senior Walter Clayton Jr. scoreless in the first half and to 11 points in the whole game.

Florida’s starting backcourt averaged 46.3 points this season and led the Gators to the third highest scoring offense in college basketball.

It is easier to slow a game down than speed it up. Houston controlled the tempo by using up all 30 seconds of it and applied pressure in half-court defense by switching and going over screens to contest every shot.

Kelvin Sampson’s goal was to muddy up the game and make Florida beat them in a half court contest. The Cougars held Florida to 0 transition points and the Gators were held to 20 points less than their average and yet still won the game. Houston executed the game plan, they just could not score enough points offensively to win the game.

This was Florida’s third national championship and their first since 2007. The Gators are the first school to have won three national championships in football and basketball.