Walter Clayton Jr. Leads Florida to NCAA Title Game with 34-Point Outburst

On April 6, 2025, Walter Clayton Jr. powered the Florida Gators to a 79-73 victory over SEC rival Auburn in the Final Four. Clayton’s standout performance — 34 points with five 3-pointers — not only sparked a dramatic second-half comeback but also marked the first time a player has achieved consecutive 30-point games this deep in the NCAA Tournament since Larry Bird in 1979.

Florida, now 35-4, is headed to the national championship game for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, where they will face Houston. Earlier rounds saw Clayton ignite comebacks against UConn and Texas Tech, while Auburn, despite leading by eight at halftime and featuring injured stars like Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara, fell short. This victory cements Florida’s 11-game win streak and renewed hopes for an SEC national title, a feat last accomplished by Kentucky in 2012.