How about the Gators?! At one point in the second half against the Houston Cougars, it sure looked like the Florida basketball season was going to end with heartbreak. Instead, a spirited comeback was posted and the SEC powerhouse is your new national champion.
We don't have to tell you that it was a bit of an off night shooting the ball for Walter Clayton Jr. However, when Todd Golden needed him to step up and make a play down the stretch, he was there to deliver for this team the way he has all year.
His incredible defensive moment to close things out will be remembered forever too. Shortly after the final whistle, Clayton was on stage being interviewed by Ernie Johnson. His rough shooting night was of course brought up, but the Florida star quickly pointed to his teammates for lifting him up.
Walter Clayton Jr. credited his Florida teammates for helping the Gators win the natty
“Man, we’ve been saying it all year,” Clayton said. “Our motto is we all can go. We have a team full of guys that can go. It ain’t just about me. We got multiple guys on this court that can go get a bucket and do anything. My team held me down until I was able to put the ball in the basket. Shout out to the boys.”
On the night, Clayton shot 3-of-10 from the floor and he was 1-of-7 from downtown - he finished with 11 points. Yes, it wasn't the kind of performance you'd expect, as he was no question one of the best players from start to finish in the NCAA Tournament.
Think Clayton is going to care about shooting 30 percent from the field? Not at all. You know what he does care about? Yeah, it's the fact that he can call himself a national champion along with the rest of the guys inside of the Florida locker room. This was a dream season for the Gators and the haters out there have absolutely nothing to say now.