Florida Gators’ Will Richard and Thomas Haugh Reflect on Defensive Heroics That Clinched Men’s Basketball National Title
San Antonio, TX April 8, 2025 In a heart-pounding national championship showdown, the Florida Gators clawed their way to a 65-63 victory over the Houston Cougars, capturing their first NCAA men’s basketball title since 2007. The comeback triumph was fueled by Will Richard’s clutch shooting and Thomas Haugh’s game-saving defense, capping off a season of grit, chemistry, and belief.
Will Richard: “We Knew We Were Special”
Senior guard Will Richard was all confidence before the first whistle of the season ever blew.
“I saw it in the first week of the offseason,” Richard told CBS Mornings. “I knew as long as we kept the right mindset and attacked every game the same way, we were going to give ourselves a good chance to do something special this year.”
Richard’s belief turned prophetic. On championship night, he hit four first-half three-pointers, kept the Gators in the fight through a 12-point second-half deficit, and played lockdown defense as the clock ticked down. His leadership and decision to forego the NBA draft last season proved vital.
“I feel like we’re a connected group,” Richard said. “As long as there’s time left on the clock, we can win. This one means everything. Bringing a title back to Gainesville—it’s special.”
Looking ahead, Richard has his sights set on the NBA Draft.
“This is definitely one I’ll celebrate for a few weeks before I start working for the next chapter,” he said.
Thomas Haugh: “Didn’t Want to Be the One Who Gave Up the Game-Tying Bucket”
Junior forward Thomas Haugh, still sporting a piece of the championship net, was buzzing from the win.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,” he said. “I haven’t slept, but I can’t wait to get back to Gainesville and celebrate with the fans.”
As the game came down to its chaotic final seconds, Haugh focused on one mission—preventing his man from scoring.
“I locked in on him. Then I saw the ball go loose, and the buzzer ran out. It was just craziness after that.”
A crucial moment came when Walt Clayton Jr. closed out on a Houston player, seemingly causing enough hesitation to prevent a potential game-tying shot.
“Credit to Walt,” Haugh said. “He made him double clutch. That split second changed everything.”
Championship Mindset and Halftime Turnaround
The Gators trailed by double digits at halftime, but according to Haugh, coach Todd Golden’s calming influence helped flip the script.
“He told us to stay the course and stay focused,” Haugh said. “We’ve been in that situation a lot this tournament. That experience helped. We stayed calm and executed our game plan.”
Florida Is Back on Top
The Florida Gators, once again national champions, have proven that defense, belief, and unity can overcome any deficit. For Richard and Haugh, their performance on the biggest stage cements their legacy as champions—and leaders of one of college basketball’s most memorable comebacks.
