Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. on final moments of national title game
The national championship between Florida and Houston ended with a chaotic final play and Walter Clayton Jr. describes it.
Sports Pulse
Florida basketball is the last team standing in the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season.
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Led by Will Richard’s team-high 18 points, clutch shots from Walter Clayton Jr. down the stretch and a stop on the final possession of the game, the top-seeded Gators defeated No. 1 Houston 65-63 in the NCAA Tournament national championship game on Monday in San Antonio at the Alamodome.
REQUIRED READING: Florida finishes March Madness run with national championship after rallying past Houston
It’s the third time that the Gators have cut down the nets in program history, moving them into the top 10 among all Division I programs for most championship titles.
The Gators’ win was historic for third-year coach Todd Golden, who at 39 years old became the youngest coach since NC State’s Jim Valvano in 1983 to hoist the national championship trophy.
The SEC’s 13-year national championship drought also came to an end on Monday with Florida’s win over Houston. The Gators are the first SEC program to win the men’s NCAA Tournament since John Calipari led Kentucky to the national championship in 2012.
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Here’s what you need to know on where the Gators’ win Monday rank among most national championship titles in college basketball:
Who has the most March Madness national titles?
UCLA holds the record among Division I men’s college basketball programs for most March Madness national championship titles at 11.
March Madness champions history
Florida on Monday won its third March Madness national championship, moving the Gators into a tie for eighth with Villanova. It’s the first national championship for Florida since they went back-to-back in 2006 and 2007 under former coach Billy Donovan.
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Here is a full list of how many teams have won the national championship since 1939, the first NCAA Tournament:
1. UCLA: 11
2. Kentucky: Eight
T-3. North Carolina: Six
T-3.Connecticut: Six
T-5. Duke: Five
T-5. Indiana: Five
7. Kansas: Four
T-8. Villanova: Three
T-8. Florida: Three
T-10. Cincinnati: Two
T-10. Louisville: Two *
T-10. Michigan State: Two
T-10. N.C. State: Two
T-10. Oklahoma State: Two
T-10. San Francisco: Two
* Does not include Louisville’s 2013 national championship, which was vacated by the NCAA
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — On the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida” host Janine Stanwood welcomes President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Audra Berg, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning for the South Florida Water Management District Carolina Maran, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and State Rep. Kevin Chambliss.
The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
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Janine Stanwood
Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.
South Florida leaders are taking preventative measures to keep residents safe after the U.S. and Israel launched major strikes on Iran early Saturday morning.
Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella-Levine Cava issued a statement reacting to the military operation that President Trump dubbed on Truth Social as “Operation Epic Fury.”
The statement reads: “The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran poses serious risks to regional stability and international safety.”
She goes on to say that her thoughts are “with the people of Israel and the Jewish community here in South Florida who are watching these events with worry and uncertainty.” She also says the Iranian people “deserve peace, safety, dignity, and the freedom to live without repression.”
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Of the Trump administration’s decision to launch the military operation, Levine-Cava writes: “Any military action taken without congressional authorization is a dangerous precedent, and we must learn from our nation’s past challenges. What must come next is a serious effort to restore stability and pursue diplomacy, not further violence.”
As for measures she will be taking, she says she asked her Chief of Public Safety to “ensure public safety agencies are aware and ready to activate plans in case of any disruption.”
The Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz also issued a statement saying that MDSO is “taking immediate security measures by increasing patrols to ensure the safety of our residents.” She said that they have increased security presence around places of worship, cultural centers, and schools.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the servicemen and women protecting our national security interests around the globe,” Cordero-Stutz wrote.
Aventura Police have also responded to the current situation on X, saying that they are monitoring the “current situation in the Middle East with our local, state, and federal partners.”
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@aventurapoliceis monitoring the current situation in the Middle East with our local, state and federal partners. At this time there are no known or credible threats to the US or Miami-Dade County. In an abundance of caution, we have implemented a heightened security posture with directed patrols at our religious facilities and other sensitive locations throughout @cityofaventuraWe will continue to monitor and report any suspicious behavior.https://x.com/aventurapolice/status/2027787245164335222/photo/1
X/Aventura Police
They go on to say: “At this time, there are no known or credible threats to the U.S. or Miami-Dade County.” However, they note that in “an abundance of caution,” they will be increasing security in religious facilities and other locations they deem as “sensitive” throughout the city.
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The City of Miami Beach also posted its statement to X, saying it is also “closely monitoring the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.” They also note that at this time, there are no known credible threats to the city.
They write: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have increased our uniformed presence at synagogues, schools, and other key locations citywide. We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners and leaders within the faith-based community.”
Miami Beach Police Department Increases Patrols Ahead of Purim Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflicthttps://x.com/MiamiBeachPD/status/2027752171173773807/photo/1
X/Miami Beach Police
They also urge residents to report any “suspicious or unlawful activity” to call their non-emergency number at 305-673-7901 or, if it is an emergency, call 911.
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Other cities’ police departments, such as Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, and Hallendale Beach, posted on their social media that they will also increase security measures after the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.