Mar 29, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; The Florida Gators pose for a photo after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Social Media Erupts as Florida Gators Punch Ticket to Final Four

Originally posted on Florida Gators on SI
By Tyler Carmona | Last updated Mar 29, 2025 10:05 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO-- First Team All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. bounced back from a rough first half to finish with 30 points while shooting 50% from the field, leading the Florida Gators to 84-79 win over Texas Tech as the program advances to the Final Four.

While Clayton was the team's leading scorer, Thomas Haugh was Florida’s unsung hero of the night. The sophomore forward scored 20 points while bringing down 11 rebounds and making several key stops on the defensive end.

Another key contributor for Florida was Alijah Martin, who added 10 points and 7 rebounds while knocking down a pair of clutch free-throws to help seal the win down the stretch as the Gators went on an 18-4 run over the final three minutes of the game.

Members of Gator Nation and fans of college basketball gathered on social media to flood the Internet with praise for Florida.

ESPN Reporter and UF Alum Laura Rutledge

Ok well that game gave me a stomach ache but YAY GO GATORS @GatorsMBK
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) March 30, 2025

Former UF Running Back Fred Taylor

GATORS 2 to go…
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) March 30, 2025

Former UF Linebacker Alex Anzalone

Go Gata!!!
— Alex Anzalone (@AlexAnzalone34) March 30, 2025

CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein

Todd Golden is to Florida Basketball what Mark Zuckerberg was for Facebook.

Gators come back to beat Texas Tech and close the game on an 18-4 run to reach their first Final Four since 2014.

An incredible college basketball game.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 30, 2025

Yahoo Fantasy Sports

60% OF YAHOO BRACKETS JUST GOT SAVED BY FLORIDA'S LATE-GAME COMEBACK pic.twitter.com/brdZASUSMR
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) March 30, 2025

Former UF Point Guard Tre Mann

big time Walt!
— Tre Mann (@tre2mann3) March 30, 2025

Barstool Sports Personality Dan "Big Cat" Katz

What a comeback. Walter Clayton is so much fun to watch. Absolute Dawg
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 30, 2025

UF Softball Outfielder Kendra Falby

FINAL FOUR BOUND LFG!!!!!!
— Kendra Falby (@kendrafalby) March 30, 2025

Former UF Wide Receiver, NFL Analyst Cris Collinsworth

Gators are trying to kill me.
FINAL 4
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) March 30, 2025

Former UF Forward Will Yeguete

Any #gatorfans in Paris next week!!! We trying to plan a watch party for the final 4 with @FranceGators !!!! Y’all tap in!! #GoGators
— Will Yeguete (@Will15Yeguete) March 30, 2025

Former UF Defensive Lineman Zach Carter

Gator Nation stand up‼️‼️
— Zach Carter (@_Zachattacks) March 30, 2025

Former UF Defensive Back Ahmad Black

Gators Basketball pic.twitter.com/KjsAG1DGQM
— Ahmad Black Sr. (@ahmadblack35) March 30, 2025

Former UF Center Patric Young

No explanation needed. Everyone has a unique path to success!!! pic.twitter.com/1N3c7GvZi4
— Patric Young (@PatricYoung4) March 30, 2025

Fox College Basketball Reporter John Fanta

Todd Golden is 39 years of age. In his third year at the helm of Florida, and just his sixth as a college head coach, he’s led the Gators to their first Final Four in 11 years. And it came with an 18-4 run over the last 2:51 of the game.

Oh, and Walter Clayton is a bad man.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 30, 2025