A Review of the 2025 NCAA Tournament

The 2025 NCAA Tournament has concluded, with the Florida Gators winning their first national title since 2007 by defeating the Houston Cougars 65-63. The Gators managed a comeback from a 12-point deficit in the second half, driven by stellar performances from All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr..

This tournament also featured disappointment as the Duke Blue Devils squandered a significant lead against Houston, ultimately losing 70-67 in the Final Four, marking a disheartening end to their season.

Winners and Losers from the Tournament

Winner: Florida - Florida demonstrated incredible resilience, highlighting their comeback capabilities throughout the tournament.

Loser: Duke - Duke’s failure to secure a victory in the Final Four leaves fans wondering what could have been.

Winner: Clayton Jr. - With several impressive game performances, Clayton boosted his NBA Draft prospects significantly. He may become a first-round pick following his standout play this tournament.

Loser: Big Ten - The Big Ten Conference experienced a challenging tournament, failing to send a team to the Final Four, with notable teams like Michigan State falling short early.

Winner: BYU - The addition of top recruit AJ Dybantsa promises a bright future for BYU basketball, suggesting they could soon be contenders on a national level.

Loser: Arkansas - Despite leading by 16 points, Arkansas’s defeat against Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 marks a painful close to a rocky season for new coach John Calipari.

The 2025 NCAA Tournament ended with Florida affirming their dominance while bringing attention to both the triumphs and struggles of various teams and players, setting the stage for a dramatic next season.