Five key moments that allowed Florida Basketball to prevail over UConn

Most Florida Basketball fans were hoping for a calm afternoon where the Gators would win by 10+ points and move on to the Sweet 16 without incident. What played out in reality is that Florida had to fight and scrap for every point as the Gators prevailed 77-75 over UConn.

Sometimes the journey is half the fun, and here are five key moments that allowed Florida to prevail and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017.

Lightning Fast Start

It started so easily for Florida as UConn was unable to make anything. The Gators didn't look like an offensive juggernaut themselves but took an early 6-0 lead after Alijah Martin was the recipient of an alley-oop fast break.

Don't Let Clayton Get Hot

There is not getting around that Walter Clayton stepped up like a First Team All-American should with his shot making. Before his heroics in the second half, Clayton found his shooting touch early to allow the Gators to keep contact with UConn.

There were moments where Florida felt dead in the water and needed someone to step up. Clayton became that player and before the three that will live forever in Gator lore, he made a three that wa just as important to give Florida the lead in the second half.

If Florida makes it to San Antonio, this is the shot that will forever live in Gator history. Sometimes a team just needs its star to make a shot that otherwise makes no sense and Clayton did just that to put that Gators up by six with 71 seconds to play.

One of the small moments that will probably get glossed over as time passes, but Martin getting the rebound off a missed free throw and putting it back for two to put Florida up by eight wound up being huge as the Gators ultimately won by just two.