In a thrilling Final Four showdown, No. 1 seed Florida punched its ticket to the national championship game by delivering a second-half defensive clinic that shut down Auburn star Johni Broome, a player of the year candidate. After allowing Broome to dominate the paint in the first half with 12 points, the Gators clamped down, holding him to just three points after halftime on only four shot attempts.
The turning point came in the locker room. Walter Clayton Jr., Florida’s leader and standout guard, delivered a fiery pep talk that sparked a noticeable shift in intensity. According to center Thomas Haugh, Clayton’s halftime message inspired the Gators’ big men to raise their physicality and effort.
“That’s not the kind of basketball we play,” Haugh recalled. “That gave us motivation.”
Florida’s depth and versatility proved critical. They rotated a dominant mix of Alex Condon, Micah Handlogten, Reuben Chinyelu, and Haugh to harass Broome on every touch. Each brought a different style, wearing him down as Florida’s defense tightened.
Head coach Todd Golden praised the effort, saying, “We did a great job guarding Johni in the second half. I think he was 1-for-4.” Florida’s adjustments — denying entry passes, increasing post physicality, and forcing Broome to his off-hand — effectively dismantled Auburn’s offense.
As the Gators surged ahead, Auburn’s offense crumbled without its centerpiece. Broome went scoreless over the final 15 minutes, committing three turnovers, missing two free throws, and picking up two fouls. Florida also closed the gap in paint points, finishing nearly even at 30-34 after trailing by 12 at halftime.
The victory was another showcase of Florida’s elite bench — the same strength that powered wins over UConn and Texas Tech. As Golden put it: “It was a function of our bigs and our depth. … We wore them out.”
Thanks to that relentless effort and Walter Clayton Jr.’s leadership, Florida is now just one win away from a national title.
