College basketball is weird. One day you’re watching a team struggle to make free throws in November, and the next, they’re cutting down nets in San Antonio. If you’re trying to remember who won last year Final Four, it was a year of "back to the future" vibes.
The Florida Gators and the UConn Huskies both reminded everyone that traditional powerhouses never truly stay down.
🔗 Read more: Who is playing football Sunday? Your guide to the 2026 NFL Divisional Playoffs
The 2025 season felt different from the jump. We had freshmen like Cooper Flagg living up to the impossible hype, yet it was the veterans who ultimately decided the fate of the bracket. Florida secured the men’s national title in a gritty, heart-stopping finale against Houston, while the UConn women absolutely dismantled the competition to reclaim their throne.
The Florida Gators’ Miraculous Comeback in San Antonio
Todd Golden did it. In just his third year at the helm, he brought the trophy back to Gainesville for the first time since the Billy Donovan era.
But man, it wasn't easy.
Florida faced the Houston Cougars in the 2025 title game at the Alamodome. Houston, led by Kelvin Sampson, was a defensive juggernaut. They had an 18-game winning streak coming in. Early on, it looked like they would cruise. They led by 12 points in the second half. Florida’s star guard, Walter Clayton Jr., couldn't buy a bucket in the first half. Zero points. Honestly, it looked over.
Then the switch flipped.
Clayton Jr. finished with 11 crucial second-half points. Will Richard stepped up big with 18 points and 8 rebounds. The Gators chipped away, possession by possession. The final minute was pure chaos. Houston turned the ball over when it hit Emanuel Sharp’s knee with 26 seconds left. Florida’s Kajus Aberdeen hit a free throw to make it 65-63. Houston had one last chance, but a travel by Sharp in the final seconds sealed it.
Florida finished 36-4. They became the kings of the comeback, trailing by at least six points in the second half in four of their six tournament wins. That’s not just luck; that’s a team that refuses to blink.
UConn Women’s Basketball Returns to the Top
If the men’s final was a street fight, the women’s final was a masterclass.
UConn entered the 2025 tournament with a mission. It had been nine years since their last title—an eternity in Storrs. They were facing South Carolina, the defending champs and the only team to ever beat Geno Auriemma in a national final.
The narrative was all about Paige Bueckers.
"Paige Buckets" was playing in her final collegiate game before heading to the WNBA. She didn't have to carry the load alone, though. Azzi Fudd was spectacular, dropping 24 points and earning Most Outstanding Player honors. Freshman Sarah Strong looked like a seasoned pro, putting up a massive double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The Huskies won 82-59.
It wasn't even close. They dethroned the Gamecocks by playing suffocating defense, holding South Carolina to 34% shooting from the floor. None of the Gamecocks’ starters reached double digits in scoring. It was UConn’s 12th national title, making Geno Auriemma the oldest coach to ever win a D-I title at 71.
Why This Final Four Mattered More Than Most
People often talk about the "chaos" of March, but 2025 was about the restoration of order.
For the men, Florida’s win proved that you can rebuild a blue-blood-adjacent program quickly through a mix of the transfer portal and high-level coaching. They beat UConn (the 2024 winners), Maryland, Texas Tech, and Auburn just to get to the final. It was an absolute gauntlet.
For the women, it was the end of an era.
The 2024-2025 season saw the departure of some of the game's biggest icons. Seeing Paige Bueckers finally get her ring felt like the perfect "fairytale ending" everyone in Connecticut had been praying for since she arrived as a freshman.
What to Remember for Next Year
If you're looking at the landscape of college hoops after seeing who won last year Final Four, a few things are clear.
First, the SEC is currently the center of the men’s basketball universe. Having two SEC teams (Florida and Auburn) in the Final Four wasn't a fluke. The depth of that conference is terrifying.
Second, don't bet against Geno Auriemma when he has a healthy roster. The "down years" for UConn were mostly due to a string of some of the worst injury luck in sports history. With a healthy Azzi Fudd and the emergence of Sarah Strong, they are back to being the gold standard.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Portal: Florida’s Alijah Martin (FAU transfer) was a massive reason for their success. Championship teams are now built in the offseason as much as the preseason.
- Defense Still Wins: Houston and UConn (Women) proved that elite defensive efficiency is the only way to survive the second weekend of the tournament.
- Vegas Values Experience: Notice that the MOPs—Walter Clayton Jr. and Azzi Fudd—were veteran players. In a world of "one-and-dones," the seniors and juniors are the ones making the plays in the final two minutes.
Florida and UConn are the benchmarks. As we head into the next cycle of March Madness, the question isn't just who has the most talent, but who has the mental toughness to come back from 12 down when the lights are the brightest.