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Florida basketball is one win away from the national championship game, and ESPN's top college basketball analysts are all in on the Orange and Blue. In a rare unanimous pick, Jeff Borzello, Joe Lunardi and Myron Medcalf have all predicted Florida will defeat Auburn in their Final Four matchup.
This isn't the first time these teams have met this season. In their regular season meeting, the Gators stunned Auburn on the road, winning 90-81. Florida knocked down 13 three-pointers against what had been the SEC's top defense against three-pointers.
Florida hasn't slowed down since the SEC Tournament. After a wild comeback win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Elite Eight, the Gators are battle-tested and brimming with confidence as they head into San Antonio, Texas, looking to take care of business in the Final Four.
Here is everything ESPN had to say about Florida basketball and its matchup against the Auburn Tigers in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Medcalf wrote a lot about the impactful runs that Florida has been able to create. This is what he had to say.
"The No. 1 factor that helped Florida reach the Final Four: No team in America has been able to turn games in their favor with devastating runs the way the Gators have.
Down nine points with 3:14 to play against Texas Tech, they ended the game on an 18-4 run akin to ones we have seen from them multiple times this season. Just in this tournament, they outscored Maryland 47-33 in the second half of their Sweet 16 win and had 53 points in less than 17 minutes against Norfolk State in the opening round.
They have launched those same knockout punches against other elite teams, too. In the SEC tournament championship, Florida was tied with Tennessee at 16 with 11:30 to play in the first half. Eight minutes later, the Gators had a 12-point lead.
Florida is college basketball's equivalent of a home run hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning. It's never over with the Gators because of the way they can seize control of games, even when they seem out of reach."
Medcalf also wrote about how Walter Clayton Jr. is the key to beat the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.
"Florida's key against Auburn: Walter Clayton Jr.'s brilliance.
The Final Four is all about stars. The teams that have players who shine under the brightest lights are the teams that ultimately cut down the nets and win national championships. There is a reason we mention Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Kemba Walker, Mateen Cleaves and Jay Williams when we discuss the greatest NCAA tournament runs. Star power reigns. And next to Cooper Flagg, Florida might have the biggest star of them all in Clayton Jr. His sheer will and talent could be the deciding factors in whether the Gators win the title."
Borzello wrote about his reasoning on why Florida will beat Auburn in the Final Four.
"Florida led the first meeting between these teams by as many as 21 points before winning 90-81 on the road. The Gators made 13 3s against the Tigers' SEC-best 3-point defense, and Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. cemented his case as the best guard in the country. Florida hasn't slowed down since then, and neither has Clayton, who has put on one of the all-time late-game shot-making performances in this NCAA tournament. Can Denver Jones limit Clayton's clean looks?
The Gators have the size and depth inside to make life difficult for Johni Broome and can win in more ways than the Tigers can."
Florida plays Auburn in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, April 5. That game will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, with tipoff set for 6:09 p.m. ET. The Final Four matchup will be broadcast on CBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Final Four 2025: ESPN predicts Florida basketball's matchup vs. Auburn
Continue reading...
This isn't the first time these teams have met this season. In their regular season meeting, the Gators stunned Auburn on the road, winning 90-81. Florida knocked down 13 three-pointers against what had been the SEC's top defense against three-pointers.
Florida hasn't slowed down since the SEC Tournament. After a wild comeback win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Elite Eight, the Gators are battle-tested and brimming with confidence as they head into San Antonio, Texas, looking to take care of business in the Final Four.
Here is everything ESPN had to say about Florida basketball and its matchup against the Auburn Tigers in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
ESPN's biggest factor that helped Florida make the Final Four
Medcalf wrote a lot about the impactful runs that Florida has been able to create. This is what he had to say.
"The No. 1 factor that helped Florida reach the Final Four: No team in America has been able to turn games in their favor with devastating runs the way the Gators have.
Down nine points with 3:14 to play against Texas Tech, they ended the game on an 18-4 run akin to ones we have seen from them multiple times this season. Just in this tournament, they outscored Maryland 47-33 in the second half of their Sweet 16 win and had 53 points in less than 17 minutes against Norfolk State in the opening round.
They have launched those same knockout punches against other elite teams, too. In the SEC tournament championship, Florida was tied with Tennessee at 16 with 11:30 to play in the first half. Eight minutes later, the Gators had a 12-point lead.
Florida is college basketball's equivalent of a home run hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning. It's never over with the Gators because of the way they can seize control of games, even when they seem out of reach."
ESPN's key for the Gators
Medcalf also wrote about how Walter Clayton Jr. is the key to beat the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.
"Florida's key against Auburn: Walter Clayton Jr.'s brilliance.
The Final Four is all about stars. The teams that have players who shine under the brightest lights are the teams that ultimately cut down the nets and win national championships. There is a reason we mention Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Kemba Walker, Mateen Cleaves and Jay Williams when we discuss the greatest NCAA tournament runs. Star power reigns. And next to Cooper Flagg, Florida might have the biggest star of them all in Clayton Jr. His sheer will and talent could be the deciding factors in whether the Gators win the title."
ESPN's prediction for Florida vs. Auburn
- Jeff Borzello: Florida wins, 82-79
- Joe Lunardi: Florida wins, 85-80
- Myron Medcalf: Florida wins, 88-84
Borzello wrote about his reasoning on why Florida will beat Auburn in the Final Four.
"Florida led the first meeting between these teams by as many as 21 points before winning 90-81 on the road. The Gators made 13 3s against the Tigers' SEC-best 3-point defense, and Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. cemented his case as the best guard in the country. Florida hasn't slowed down since then, and neither has Clayton, who has put on one of the all-time late-game shot-making performances in this NCAA tournament. Can Denver Jones limit Clayton's clean looks?
The Gators have the size and depth inside to make life difficult for Johni Broome and can win in more ways than the Tigers can."
How to watch Florida-Auburn in the Final Four
Florida plays Auburn in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Saturday, April 5. That game will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, with tipoff set for 6:09 p.m. ET. The Final Four matchup will be broadcast on CBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Final Four 2025: ESPN predicts Florida basketball's matchup vs. Auburn
Continue reading...
