Tonight, the Florida Gators meet the Houston Cougars with the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball championship on the line.
The Cougars shocked the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four, outscoring their opponents 15-3 down the stretch to secure a 70-67 win. Florida, meanwhile, took down fellow SEC standout Auburn in their Final Four matchup, with senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. scoring a game-high 34 points to carry his team to the final.
However, Clayton could be in for a rude awakening tonight. Houston’s defense is no joke. Not only has it carried the Cougars throughout March Madness, but it was able to hold all but two Blue Devils players below 10 points.
Predicting the outcome of the 2025 title game is anyone’s guess, but here is what experts from around the internet are predicting for the national championship:
Predictions for Houston vs. Florida
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Houston wins
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA men’s tournament bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Mendoza predicts a close title game and picks the Cougars to beat the Gators 72-69.
NBC Sports: UNDER 141.5
NBC Sports Bet claims that their prediction model is leaning the under in this game. That’s likely a good bet given how stout Houston’s defense is and how slow their pace of play is. While Walter Clayton Jr. can score from anywhere at any time, Houston did just hold Cooper Flagg to a respectable 27, so perhaps the under is the play.
Greg Peterson, ESPN: Florida (-1)
Peterson writes, “Florida might have the most versatile style of play in the country. Many teams would have a difficult time with the way Houston slows games down: playing at a bottom-10 pace, but the way Florida played the likes of Tennessee and Connecticut earlier this season shows it can slow down and win from within.”
Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic: Houston to win
Cluff writes, “Houston has had some close calls in the tournament, but the Cougars just keep finding ways to win with their tenacious defense and opportunistic offense. L.J. Cryer and Houston will be able to get one more close win in the tournament on Monday with a victory over the Florida Gators in the national championship game.”
2025 NCAA Final, Houston vs. Florida odds:
*Odds as of Sunday evening, via BetMGM
- Spread: Florida (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Florida (-120); Houston (+100)
- O/U: 141.5
How to watch Houston vs. Florida in NCAA championship
- Date: Monday, April 7
- Time: 8:50 p.m. ET
- Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- TV: CBS
- Stream: Fubo
Stream the NCAA Championship Game with Fubo
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
