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Houston Makes Unfortunate College Basketball History After National Championship Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Enzo Flojo | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 1:40 AM ET

Houston made history on Monday night, but not the way they had hoped. In an exciting National Championship game against Florida that went down to the wire, the Cougars became the first team in NCAA Division I history to play at least 40 games in a season without suffering a defeat by more than five points, according to Opta Stats.

However, they still fell short of securing the coveted title. Despite dominating most of the game, Houston was ultimately dethroned by the Gators, who rallied to win 65-63 and capture their first national championship since 2007.

Houston’s incredible regular season and postseason success, which included 35 wins in 40 games, wasn’t enough to overcome a series of pivotal moments in the final stages of the championship.

Houston is the first team in Division I history to play 40+ games in a season and not suffer a defeat by more than 5 points.

It still wasn't enough to bring home a national title. pic.twitter.com/fdnDgrLAsR
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 8, 2025

Their defense, which had stifled Florida’s fast-paced offense for over 30 minutes, began to crack late. The turning point came when Houston's best defender, Joseph Tugler, fouled out with just under a minute remaining, giving Florida’s Alijah Martin a chance to sink two clutch free throws.

Houston, trailing by two points, had a chance to tie or take the lead but was smothered by Florida’s own stifling defense on the final possession. Milos Uzan, who had been Houston’s go-to sharpshooter, was double-teamed as he attempted a last-ditch three-pointer, ultimately sealing the Cougars' fate.

Though Houston’s run was historic, it will be remembered as a case of what might have been. With all the records and nearly flawless play, the Cougars fell just short of the one thing that mattered most: the national championship.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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