The 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four features an SEC showdown as the Florida Gators take on the Auburn Tigers. With a trip to the National Championship on the line, these two conference powerhouses will face off on Saturday, April 15, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The game is set for a 6:09 p.m. ET tipoff and will be broadcast on CBS.
Both teams have taken different paths to reach this stage. Auburn, the winners of the SEC Tournament had some late-season struggles but regained their form once March came around. The Tigers have been leaning on their defensive intensity and physicality to push past opponents. Then, there was Florida, which was the regular season SEC champion. The Gators have been dominant throughout the tournament showcasing their ability to take over games down the stretch with explosive scoring runs.
This won’t be the first time these two teams face one another. They last met in February. Florida secured a 90-81 victory on the road. Auburn will look to avenge that loss, while Florida aims to prove again why it has been the most consistent team in the SEC all season. The stage is set for one of these two teams to be the first team to punch their ticket to the National Championship Game.
Game/Team Matchup Info
Florida enters the matchup as a 2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM, with the total points over/under set at 159.5. The Gators offense has averaged over 82 points per game in the tournament. Auburn has relied on a more balanced attack with strong interior play to grind out wins.
Historically, Auburn has held the rebounding advantage over Florida, and that part of the game will be a key factor in determining which team will end up coming out on top. In their last meeting, the Tigers outrebounded the Gators 39-36 but could not contain Florida’s perimeter shooting. Florida’s ability to spark their offense with their shot-making and pace of play will also likely play a key part in determining the outcome of this game.
Both teams have shown that they are built to compete and even win a National Championship, with both teams fielding experienced rosters and coaching staff that have thrived under pressure. The question now is which team will execute better when it matters most. With SEC bragging rights and a championship game appearance at stake, expect a fierce and closely contested battle.
Auburn’s Keys to Victory
Auburn found its rhythm again at the right time, overcoming its late-season slump by tightening up defensively. The Tigers struggled down the stretch, losing three of their final four regular-season games, but have since rediscovered their identity as a team. They have held opponents under 70 points in three of their four NCAA Tournament wins.
The key for Auburn will be controlling the paint and forcing Florida into contested jump shots as often as they can. Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell anchor a frontcourt that has dominated the boards, and they’ll need to continue that effort to disrupt Florida’s offensive rhythm. Auburn also defends the three-point line well, which will be crucial against a Florida team that thrives on perimeter scoring.
On the other side of the ball, Auburn’s backcourt must step up and produce to complement its inside presence. If Denver Jones and Tre Donaldson can knock down their perimeter shots and keep Florida’s defense honest, it will open up opportunities inside. Auburn must find a way to control the game’s tempo and prevent Florida from going on extended scoring runs which will give them their best chance of turning the tide of this game in their favor.
Florida’s Keys To Victory
Florida’s success this season has been fueled by its ability to dictate the pace of play and overwhelm opponents with scoring surges. The Gators have made a habit of taking control of games like with their dominant second-half performances, most recently in their 18-4 run to close out Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
The biggest advantage Florida has over Auburn is its versatility. The Gators can score from all levels, and their ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting has given defenses problems all year. In their February win over Auburn, they shot 48% from beyond the arc and put up 48 first-half points.
Defensively, however, Florida will have to find a way to contain Auburn’s inside game and limit its second-chance opportunities. While they have the size to match up, it will still come down to which team can win the rebounding and physicality battle. If Florida can get physical with Auburn when they are on offense and control the glass, it will put them in a strong position to secure another win over the Tigers.
Player To Watch For Auburn: Johni Broome
Broome has been Auburn’s most dominant player all season, and he will need to be once again in this matchup. The 6-foot-10 forward has been the Tigers’ go-to weapon on the inside averaging 17.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in the tournament.
In the first meeting against Florida, Broome posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. However, he will need to be even better this time around, especially after suffering a minor injury scare in the Elite Eight. If Broome can stay healthy and establish himself early, Auburn’s chances of winning will increase significantly.
Player To Watch For Florida: Walter Clayton Jr.
Walter Clayton Jr. has been the heartbeat of Florida’s offense this year. He has delivered for the Gators in clutch moments throughout this season. The star guard is averaging 19.2 points per game in the tournament and has a knack for taking over when the game is on the line.
Clayton’s greatest strengths lie within his ability to create his own shot and facilitate for his teammates, which makes him the biggest threat whenever he’s on the floor. If Clayton Jr. can find his rhythm early in this game and set the pace of this game, Auburn’s defense will have a hard time slowing him down. Florida’s success will ultimately come down to his production, making him the player to watch in this matchup.
Final Thoughts
This game opens up our slate of No. 1 seeds facing off in this year’s Final Four. Auburn’s game plan is likely to surround its physicality and defensive toughness. Florida will be leaning on its offensive explosiveness. Both of these teams are more than capable of winning this game and going on to win the whole thing. Even so, that means that the winner of this game will be determined by which of these teams can out-execute the other in the biggest moments.
Auburn must dominate the boards and neutralize Florida’s perimeter attack. While Florida’s focus will need to be on controlling the game’s pace and capitalizing on its scoring opportunity. With a National Championship appearance on the line, expect this to be a game that comes down to the final minutes.
