When Florida Basketball makes the Final Four, tip-off will be earlier

Florida Basketball is riding high in the 2025 season, with an 18-2 record, a top-five national ranking, and a team that is looking every bit like a Final Four contender.

As the Gators push toward Selection Sunday, it's easy to start dreaming of a potential appearance in the national title game. If Florida does make it there, the good news for fans is that this year's finale is slated to start earlier than normal.

Florida Basketball: One Shining Moment

The NCAA announced that the 2025 national championship game, set for Monday, April 7, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, will tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET—30 minutes earlier than the traditional 9:20 p.m. start.

The adjustment, intended to better accommodate fans and players alike, is a welcome change for those on the East Coast who would otherwise be forced to stay up past 11:30 to see the nets get cut down.

Florida fans are able to dream about a potential berth in the title game because of the resurgence the Gators have had under Todd Golden. Florida is 18-2, with a 5-2 record in conference play. It's Florida's best start to a season since the 2013/14 season. The Gators were 36-2 that year before losing in the Final Four to UConn.

As the SEC season hits the halfway point, Florida still has a long road ahead before making it to San Antonio, including a rematch with Tennessee this Saturday.

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off with Selection Sunday on March 16, revealing the 68-team bracket. The First Four games follow on March 18-19, leading into the first and second rounds from March 20-23. The Sweet 16 takes place on March 27-28, with the Elite Eight on March 29-30. The Final Four and national championship will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, with semifinal games on April 5 and the championship game on April 7.