College Basketball Runs Through Florida

(Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

With the National Championship Monday night, the college basketball season has come to a conclusion. The Florida Gators being crowned champion for their third time in program history. This game capping what could be considered the greatest Final Four in history. Four of the best teams we've ever seen came face-to-face, and two of the best teams all season clashed in the end.

In the first half, the game was ultimately controlled by the Houston Cougars. They pressured the Gators with their premier defense that they have shown over and over throughout the tournament. This put the Gators in a bind offensively, which is something that haven't been fully matched with. Their star Walter Clayton Jr. could not find his rhythm in the first half, finishing with just two points. Luckily for the Gators, the Cougars also struggled to find their groove offensively. Both teams shooting under 40% from the field, while the Cougars shooting an astounding 14% from three-point range. While the Gators turned the ball over seven more times than Houston, they found themselves down just three at the half. A big help fro Will Richard, who kept them in the game on the offensive end.

To start the second half was the ref show, with fouls left and right. This did not help the Cougars much, as the offensive woes continued. J'Wan Roberts struggled to find his game inside, while the team continued to shoot poorly from beyond the arc. The scrappy battle soon saw Houston find some rhythm turning defense to offense as the turnover margin grew their lead to 12. The fouls started to catch to the Cougars this time, as Florida looked to their guy in Clayton Jr. to find some offense. With the Florida defense turning up the pressure, the found themselves back in the game once again cutting the lead down. It was their turn to turn defense into points. This led to a back and forth battle down the stretch, where it was Houston that began to turn the ball over, and become stagnant on offense. Crucial possessions that led to turnovers put Florida up by two with 20 seconds to remain. A Houston possession would follow to go for the win. The issue was they were met with a pestering Florida defense that forced a mess with Emanuel Sharp in a last second shot, that wasn't a shot. Not even getting a field goal attempt up is how the Houston season ended, while the Gators celebrated their historic season.

Ultimately it was the Florida defense that stepped up down the stretch, forcing the Cougars into seven turnovers in the second half. With the help of Richard's 18 points, and the Gator star in Clayton Jr. down the stretch, they found themselves in a great position to win. They consistently clawed their way back into games this tournament and proved why they are one of the best.

Despite a roaring effort from LJ Cryer's 19 points and company, the Cougars ultimately lost to their own game plan. Another impressive year for Houston and Kelvin Sampson, comes to another disappointing end. Still looking for their first championship in school history.

This incredible National Championship game has now ended one of the best seasons in college basketball history. We have now seen some of the best teams compete night in and night out, with some of the best coaches at the helm. History was made, and a new era has begun in college basketball. Here's to another fantastic season in the beast that is men's college basketball.

Important Notes:

Todd Golden wins his first title at 39 years old in just his third season with Florida

Walter Clayton Jr. wins MVP with 22.3 Pts, 3.3 Ast, 3.3 Reb, 43% 3-Pt in the tournament