The riveting action took viewers by storm, too. Monday's national championship averaged 18.1 million viewers on CBS, up 22% year-over-year and the most-watched title game since 2019, when Virginia beat Texas Tech in overtime. During a hectic finish between the Gators and Cougars, viewership peaked at 21.1 million.

Florida and Walter Clayton Jr. somehow overcame Houston’s spirit-crushing defense Monday night to will out a 65-63 victory in an NCAA title-game thriller.

In the end, college basketball always delivers. Surely this past weekend was proof, with its incessant nail-biting Final Four, starting with Florida’s 79-73 upset of overall No. 1 seed Auburn, then Houston’s furious rally to shock Duke 70-67,

The Florida Gators earned all 61 first-place votes in the final AP Top 25 Poll of the season after winning the NCAA Tournament.

Former Saint Mary’s guard Todd Golden coaches Gators to a thrilling victory in a game that went down to the buzzer.

Here's a look at where USA TODAY Sports ranks the Florida Gators' three NCAA Tournament championship wins during this century.

Madness is now over. The Florida Gators beat Houston to win the men's NCAA championship game, while UConn defeated South Carolina to take the women's championship. And while

Florida basketball will hold its national championship celebration on Saturday at The Swamp. Here are more details about the event.