Walter Clayton Jr. scored 34 points and Florida beat Southeastern Conference rival Auburn 79-73 in the Final Four on Saturday night, sending the Gators to the national championship game for the first time since their titles in 2006 and 2007.
The All-America guard for the Gators (35-4) had a driving layup with 2:24 left, on the possession right after Australian big man Alex Condon drew a charge against Johni Broome, the other All-America player in this national semifinal — and who was dealing with an injured right elbow.
After a record 14 SEC teams made this NCAA Tournament, seven got to the Sweet 16 before the league made up half the Elite Eight and then this Final Four filled with No. 1 seeds.
The Gators will have the opportunity to win the SEC’s lone championship since they won in consecutive seasons on Monday night, the first since Kentucky in 2012. Florida enters the championship game against either Duke or Houston in the Alamodome on an 11-game winning streak.
On and off the court, Clayton remarked, “We are simply all together.”
Clayton chased a loose rebound and tipped it back inbounds to keep the clock running out on the victory, even at the end of the first SEC game in a Final Four. Teammate Alijah Martin was at the end line, watching him and grinning as he nodded to welcome him as he began to make his way back onto the court.
In their second Final Four under coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers (32-6) led by eight points at the half and were the top overall seed.
