What Florida need to do to win …
The Gators need to push the pace and turn it into a high-possession game, disrupting the Cougars’ grind-it-out style. They also must knock down perimeter shots early to stretch Houston’s stingy defense, which is the best in the country by anymetric. Limiting turnovers against the Cougars’ ball pressure and winning the rebounding battle to create second-chance points will be critical, same for composure in late-game possessions against Houston’s relentless physicality. Bryan Armen Graham
Get scoring and playmaking from their perimeter players and hold the Cougars to one shot on each possession. Houston had 18 offensive rebounds in Saturday’s win over Duke leading to 19 points. If Florida can force Houston into tough twos and win the rebound margin they will cut down the nets on Monday night. Nicholas Levine
What Houston need to do to win …
Of the 364 teams in Division I, only four played at a slower pace than the Cougars. Houston must control the tempo, suffocate Florida’s guards with pressure and win the battle on the glass. Limiting second-chance opportunities and forcing turnovers will allow them to grind the Gators into the kind of half-court battle where they thrive. That’s how they managed to limit Duke to one (!) field goal in the final 10 minutes of Saturday night’s semi-final to spring one of the more famous smash-and-grabs in Final Four history. BAG
They need to play to their identity: defense and toughness. The Cougars are the best defensive team in the nation, holding their opponents to 87.3 points per 100 possessions. They will have the players and a scheme to make life tough on the dynamic Florida backcourt. I expect to see a lot of ball-screen traps on Gators star Walter Clayton Jr, forcing someone else to hit shots. NL
Key player for Florida
Walter Clayton Jr. The 6ft 3in combo guard has become the Gators’ offensive and emotional heartbeat, drawing straight-faced comparisons to Steph Curry after consecutive 30-point outbursts against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight and Auburn on Saturday. His shot creation, poise under pressure and fearlessness in the clutch will all be tested against a lengthy Houston backcourt that will be zeroed in on stopping him. BAG
Walter Clayton Jr has been an elite shot-maker, particularly in the last two games. The last player to record back-to-back 30-point games in both the Elite Elite and Final Four was Larry Bird for Indiana State in 1979. The Gators need the former high school football star – he turned down offers from Georgia and Notre Dame to play basketball at tiny Iona University in upstate New York before transferring – to continue his hot streak. ...
