JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gators fans in Jacksonville showed up Monday night to celebrate their team as Florida pulled out a national championship victory over Houston in San Antonio.
At the Island Wing Café, the crowd erupted the moment the Gators won the game.
Florida won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007 -- so this is a long time coming.
The historic win ties the Gators with Villanova for the eighth-most national titles among NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs.
Last night, Florida made an incredible comeback, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat Houston 65-63 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The Gators finished the season with a 36-4 record, marking their 12th consecutive victory and a triumphant return to the top of college basketball.
“It feels amazing. This guy is the goat: the greatest of all time. Walter Clayton Jr., carrying us to the promised land, and now we’re national champs. Let’s go Gators!” fan Peyton Mason said.
UF students Marina Jenkins and Breanna Valentine said it felt good to prove all the doubters wrong.
News4JAX even found a Florida State alum who said he’s proud of the Gators, despite the rivalry.
“I was actually really pleased they won. It was exciting to watch the game, especially the comeback,” Will Mclatchey said. “I went to Florida State, but I am actually happy the Gators won. Both my nephews are Gator fans, my sister went to UF, so I am really happy for Gators friends, and I am happy they did well, and they won.”
At the beaches, a Florida alum who just jumped out of the water said he was beyond ecstatic about the win.
“I am fired up, fired up. Go Gators!” Gian Carlo Bartoli said. “I am so excited at the fact that Florida is the only college, the only school that has three national championships for football and for basketball. That’s pretty special.”
