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2025 NCAA Tournament: SEC makes March Madness history with Florida win over Texas Tech

Wade-Peeryby: Wade Peery03/30/25
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The SEC has enjoyed a historic year in college basketball this year. And many wondered if the conference could finish the job and show up when it really counts–March Madness. The conference has done just that, thanks to the Florida Gators battling back with a furious rally over the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday night. With Florida’s win, the SEC now owns the record for the most wins in an NCAA Tournament (20), passing the 2016 ACC (19). That gives the SEC one Final Four team, with the potential of adding three more.

Florida punches ticket to Final Four in historic year for SEC

Walter Clayton was the hero for Florida on Saturday, capping off a comeback to punch the Gators’ ticket to the Final Four. After trailing much of the way in the final minutes against Texas Tech, Clayton nailed a 3-pointer with 59 seconds remaining to give Florida a one-point lead in an eventual 84-79 win.

Things were tied up at 55 with around 11 minutes remaining before the Red Raiders went on a 12-2 run to take a double-digit lead with 7:49 left. A dunk from Federiko Federiko forced Florida to call a timeout.

Things began to look bleak as Florida trailed by nine points with 3:14 to go, but the Gators refused to go away. Thomas Haugh hit a 3-pointer with 2:43 remaining to cut the lead to 75-69. That would be the beginning of a four straight triples for the Gators in a wild comeback sequence.

Clayton also hit a 3-pointer with 1:45 remaining to tie the game at 75 before Texas Tech answered on the other end to retake the lead. But Clayton fired right back and finished with a game-high 30 points.

Texas Tech knocked down a couple of 3-pointers to take an early 6-0 lead within the first minute of the game. The Red Raiders’ advantage wouldn’t last long, however, as Florida took its first lead with 15:14 in the first half after a 3-pointer from Thomas Haugh.

The teams traded baskets from there as the lead exchanged hands a few more times before Florida pulled away for a 40-37 halftime lead. Texas Tech shot 43.7% from 3-point range in the first half to keep it in the game.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.