Gators vs Huskies: Picture this: the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, buzzing with excitement, fans on the edge of their seats, and two powerhouse teams ready to clash. On Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 12:10 p.m. ET, the No. 1 seed Florida Gators (31-4) take on the No. 8 seed Connecticut Huskies (24-10) in a second-round NCAA Tournament matchup that’s dripping with drama.
The Gators are riding high after a dominant first-round win, while the Huskies, the two-time defending champs, are chasing history with a potential three-peat. This isn’t just a game—it’s a battle of titans, and I’m here to break it all down for you in a way that’s fun, easy to digest, and packed with everything you need to know!
Game Day Basics: When, Where, and How to Watch
Let’s start with the essentials. This epic showdown kicks off at 12:10 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, part of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region. Florida earned their spot here with a 95-69 beatdown of No. 16 Norfolk State, while UConn fought off No. 9 Oklahoma 67-59. The prize? A ticket to the Sweet 16 in San Francisco.
You can catch all the action live on CBS, with the stellar crew of Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson bringing you every play. If you’re more of a radio fan, tune into the Gator Sports Network, where Sean Kelley, Lee Humphrey, and Steve Egan will have you covered. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a second of this one!
The Teams: Who’s Stepping onto the Court?
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Florida Gators: A High-Flying Force
The Gators are rolling into this game with a 31-4 record and a No. 1 seed that screams dominance. They’ve won seven straight games and 13 of their last 14, showcasing a rare blend of top-tier offense and stingy defense. Here’s who’s leading the charge:
- Alex Condon (F, Sophomore): 6-11, 230 lbs – 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds per game. This big man is a double-double machine.
- Rueben Chinyelu (C, Sophomore): 6-10, 255 lbs – 6.1 points, 6.5 rebounds. He’s a rebounding beast in the paint.
- Will Richard (G, Senior): 6-4, 206 lbs – 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds. A steady hand with a knack for clutch moments.
- Alijah Martin (G, Graduate): 6-2, 195 lbs – 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds. This transfer from Florida Atlantic is a scoring dynamo.
- Walter Clayton Jr. (G, Senior): 6-2, 195 lbs – 17.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists. The All-American point guard is the heart and soul of this squad.
Connecticut Huskies: The Champs Won’t Back Down
UConn, with a 24-10 record, might not have the flashiest numbers this season, but don’t let that fool you—these guys are battle-tested. They’ve won 13 straight NCAA Tournament games and are eyeing a record-breaking 14th. Meet their starting five:
- Alex Karaban (F, Junior): 6-8, 225 lbs – 14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists. A versatile scorer who’s started every game since his freshman year.
- Samson Johnson (C, Senior): 6-10, 225 lbs – 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds. A rim-protecting force with a sky-high shooting percentage.
- Liam McNeeley (F, Freshman): 6-7, 210 lbs – 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds. This McDonald’s All-American is a future NBA star.
- Solo Ball (G, Sophomore): 6-3, 190 lbs – 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds. The team’s top scorer and a sharpshooter from deep.
- Hassan Diarra (G, Senior): 6-2, 195 lbs – 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists. A playmaking wizard who’s haunted Florida before.
The Rivalry: A History of Husky Dominance
Here’s where it gets juicy. UConn leads the all-time series 5-1, and they’ve won five straight against Florida since 2013. Remember December 2, 2013? Shabazz Napier’s buzzer-beater at Storrs snapped Florida’s program-record 30-game win streak. Then, in the 2014 Final Four, UConn knocked out the top-seeded Gators 63-53.
The last meeting? December 7, 2022, when UConn stormed into Gainesville and crushed Florida 75-54 with jaw-dropping efficiency. The Huskies shot 52%, owned the boards (42-28), and suffocated Florida’s offense. Ouch. But this is a new Gators team, and they’re hungry to flip the script.
How They Stack Up: Stats That Tell the Story
Let’s dive into the numbers—because they don’t lie! Here’s a side-by-side look at what these teams bring to the table:
Offense
- Florida: 85.7 points per game, .473 FG%, .354 3P%. They’re third in KenPom’s overall rankings and first in offensive efficiency. This team can score in bunches!
- UConn: 77.1 points per game, .478 FG%, .351 3P%. They rank 15th in offensive efficiency and play slow but smart, with a deadly 57.3% from two-point range.
Defense
- Florida: Allows 69.2 points per game, .400 FG% defense, .293 3P% defense. They’re 10th in defensive efficiency—locking down opponents is their superpower.
- UConn: Allows 67.8 points per game, .420 FG% defense, .346 3P% defense. They’re second nationally in blocks (17.7%), but their perimeter defense has slipped this year (78th in efficiency).
Tempo and Strength
- Florida: 61st in adjusted tempo, 4th in NET ranking, 19th in strength of schedule. They can run you off the court or grind it out.
- UConn: 343rd in tempo (they love a slow pace), 32nd in NET, 77th in strength of schedule. They dictate the game’s rhythm like champs.
Florida’s got the edge in scoring and efficiency, but UConn’s physicality and experience could keep this close.
The Gators: What’s Working and What’s Not
The Good
Florida was on fire against Norfolk State, dropping a program-record 53 points in the first half of their 95-69 win. Walter Clayton Jr. was unstoppable, pouring in 23 points (16 before halftime) with four triples. Alijah Martin chipped in 17, and Alex Condon added 12 points and a little bit of everything. The Gators shot 48.3%, hit 10 of 32 threes, and dished out 20 assists. They’re a well-oiled machine when they’re clicking.
The Not-So-Good
But here’s the catch: they got sloppy late in that game. After building a 32-point lead, they let Norfolk State go on an 11-0 run to close the first half, thanks to four turnovers and lazy defense. The Spartans shot 50% in the second half and scored 48 points in the paint. Against a team like UConn, those lapses could be fatal. Coach Todd Golden knows it, and you can bet he’s drilling that into his players right now.
The Huskies: Champs With a Chip on Their Shoulder
The Strengths
UConn’s win over Oklahoma wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty—67-59, with Solo Ball leading the way (14 points). This team thrives under pressure, and their 13-game NCAA win streak proves it. They’re elite inside, shooting 57.3% on two-pointers, and their 17.7% block rate is a nightmare for drivers. Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley bring versatility, while Hassan Diarra’s playmaking (5.7 assists per game) keeps the offense humming.
The Weaknesses
This isn’t the same UConn juggernaut from the last two years. Their defense has dropped to 78th in efficiency, and they’re vulnerable from beyond the arc (256th in 3P% defense). They play slow (343rd in tempo), which could backfire against Florida’s fast-paced attack. If the Gators heat up from deep, UConn might struggle to keep up.
Key Players to Watch
Florida’s X-Factors
- Walter Clayton Jr.: This guy’s a walking highlight reel. With 2,006 career points and a 57-game streak with a three-pointer, he’s the engine. If he gets hot, UConn’s in trouble.
- Alijah Martin: His speed and scoring (14.5 ppg) could exploit UConn’s slower tempo. He’s 5-0 in NCAA Tournament games—clutch is his middle name.
UConn’s Game-Changers
- Solo Ball: At 14.6 points per game and 42.2% from three, he’s the Huskies’ best weapon. Florida’s perimeter defense will test him.
- Hassan Diarra: Remember that dagger three against Florida in the 2022 SEC Tournament? He’s a pest with the ball and could dictate the pace.
What’s at Stake?
For Florida, it’s about proving they’re more than just a regular-season darling. A win sends them to the Sweet 16 and keeps their Final Four dreams alive. For UConn, it’s history on the line—a 14th straight NCAA win would break a record, and a three-peat is still in play. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the tension is palpable.
Prediction: Who’s Got the Edge?
This is a nail-biter waiting to happen. Florida’s speed, scoring, and efficiency give them a slight advantage—they’re averaging 85.7 points and can bury you from anywhere. UConn’s experience and physicality keep them in it, but their slower pace and shaky perimeter defense might not match Florida’s firepower. If the Gators limit turnovers and hit their threes (they’re 35.4% on the year), they could pull away late.
My Call: Florida 82, UConn 74. Clayton and Martin shine, and the Gators advance. But don’t count out those pesky Huskies—they’ve got championship DNA for a reason!
Fun Facts to Impress Your Friends
- Florida’s 11-7 in second-round NCAA games (.611), but they’ve lost three straight at this stage. Time to buck the trend?
- UConn’s 78.9% free-throw shooting ranks 15th nationally. They don’t miss the easy ones.
- The 1994 Sweet 16 clash saw UConn’s Donyell Marshall miss two free throws with three seconds left, sending Florida to their first Final Four. History loves a twist!
Final Thoughts: Get Ready for a Classic!
This isn’t just a game—it’s a blockbuster. Florida’s high-octane offense meets UConn’s championship grit in a matchup that could define March Madness 2025. Grab your snacks, tune into CBS, and buckle up for a rollercoaster. Who’s your pick? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear what you think!
