National Championship: No. 1 Florida capped an amazing two-year run by winning the team’s second consecutive national title, beating No. 1 Ohio State 84-75. The Gators become the first team to repeat since Duke did it in 1991 and 1992. More remarkably, in an age when talented players leave for the NBA after winning at the college level, Florida returned all five starters from last season’s team, becoming the first team in history to win two titles with the same starting five.
The Gators were deadly from long range, hitting 10-of-18 three-pointers, including four by senior Lee Humphrey. Junior Al Horford, meanwhile, led Florida by scoring 18 points in the post. He worked hard to get to the line and hit 6-of-8 free throws. The Gators’ defense stymied one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. Ohio State failed to hit a three-pointer in the second half until the final minute. The team hit only 4-of-23 three-point attempts. Freshman Greg Oden stayed out of foul trouble for most of the game and led all scorers with 25 points.
Junior Corey Brewer hit three three-pointers in the first half to help the Gators build an 11-point lead. Ohio State cut it to six or seven several times in the second half, and Florida always responded with a big shot, usually from long range. Despite having plenty of firepower, the Buckeyes never seemed capable of challenging the dominant Gators. [4/02/07]
