The 2025 NCAA Tournament saw two No. 1 seeds secure their spots in the Final Four on Saturday: Duke and Florida. Florida battled past No. 3 Texas Tech in a hard-fought 84-79 victory, while Duke cruised past No. 2 Alabama with an 85-65 win, marking the Blue Devils’ first Final Four appearance under Jon Scheyer.
On Sunday, “College GameDay” host Jay Bilas analyzed the games and previewed the upcoming Elite Eight matchups, highlighting Florida as a “formidable” team. Bilas praised the Gators for their depth, experienced backcourt, and toughness on both ends of the floor. He also singled out Walter Clayton Jr. as a clutch scorer, emphasizing his ability to deliver under pressure.
Clayton’s performance in Florida’s win over Texas Tech was nothing short of stellar, leading all scorers with 30 points. He hit a crucial three-pointer to tie the game in the final two minutes and another to give the Gators a 78-77 lead with just over a minute left.
Before the tournament, Bilas ranked Florida as the nation’s best team, but in the same discussion, he acknowledged Duke as the top team at the moment. Florida has advanced to the Final Four after defeating No. 16 Norfolk State, No. 8 UConn, No. 4 Maryland, and No. 3 Texas Tech. The Gators will now face the winner of the Auburn-Michigan State matchup.
