By Ken Cross
SAN ANTONIO – When Houston and Florida matchup for the national championship on Monday evening, the game features two 35-4 teams who have consistently know how to come from behind to win, even in dire circumstances.
Gator Growls: Florida has three NCAA Tournament victories where guard Walter Clayton, Jr., has pulled them into wins.
UConn was the first Gators’ victim as the Huskies led the Gators throughout the game until Clayton scored 13 of his last 23 points in the last eight minutes to allow Florida to surpass the back-to-back champions, 77-75. Clayton hit a pair of threes to lengthen the Gators lead to eight with under a minute to play.
Texas Tech outplayed the Gators for most of the afternoon in the West Region championship in San Francisco. Again, Clayton rallied the Gators as he hit two triples after the Red Raiders had taken a 75-66 advantage with just over three minutes to play. His dribble out of the paint to the right wing to make a three will be one of the characterizing highlights of his career. It gave Florida a 78-77 lead with just under a minute remaining.
Finally, Saturday, Auburn led Florida, 46-38, at halftime as the Tigers had put together an excellent offense in finding Johni Broome inside while Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones found openings on the perimeter.
The Gators’ defense held Auburn to 8-of-24 from the field with only three triples in the second half. The pressure forced 12 of 14’s Auburn turnovers in the second 20 minutes and Florida held a 16-6 advantage on points off of turnovers.
After Auburn went ahead, 66-65, with 4:47 remaining, Clayton scored nine of his game high 34 points as Florida toppled Auburn, 79-73.
Prowling the Hardwood: The Houston Cougars know how to step out of the shadows of dark situations as well.
Duke led Houston, 59-45, with 8:17 remaining, but the Cougars outscored the Blue Devils, 25-8, in the clutch as Emanuel Sharp and Cryer scored 20 of those 25 points taking advantage of their overall talent, athleticism, and experience against the Blue Devils’ defense.
Houston’s defense highlighted it’s season as the Coogs held Duke to 2-of-11 and forced five turnovers after Sion James’ layup gave the Blue Devils a 52-42 lead with 13:35 to play. It limited Cooper Flagg to only 8-of-19 from the floor and it shut Kon Kneuppel out in the second half as he only found three shots in the second 20 minutes.
The Cougars collapsed Duke by finishing the game on a 9-0 sprint. JoJo Tugler’s dunk off of a rebound was a key part of the run. Tugler also had a blocked shot and a key rebound in that last 1:13. J’Wan Roberts made two free throws with 19 seconds remaining as Houston posted a 68-67 lead.
In late January, the Cougars postured a 92-86 double overtime win at Kansas after trailing by six points with 20 second to play in the first overtime. Guard Mylik Wilson made a three with four seconds remaining to tie the game at 79-79 with four seconds to play. This came after Sharp hit an NBA three with sight seconds to play as it cut the deficit to 79-76.
These two teams foster the “never say die” attitudes and they never allow themselves to think they are not in games. Their mentalities are lethal to any opponent who has the lead, no matter the game situation.