San Antonio, TX — Walter Clayton Jr. is crafting a March Madness legacy few will forget — and the Florida Gators are hoping he has one more masterpiece left.
With a spot in the national championship game secured, Florida will take on Houston Monday night at the Alamodome, driven by the brilliance of their All-American guard. Clayton once again delivered on the biggest stage, pouring in 34 points — including five from beyond the arc — to lead the Gators past SEC rival Auburn 79-73 in Saturday night’s Final Four clash.
His back-to-back 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament mark the first such feat this late in the competition since Larry Bird in 1979 — a testament to the extraordinary run he’s having.
“Walter Clayton was the difference-maker,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl admitted. “We just couldn’t stop him when it mattered.”
No one has in this tournament. Clayton has carved up defenses all month, becoming the first player to score 30 or more in both the Elite Eight and Final Four since Bird’s legendary run with Indiana State.
“He stays poised, calm, and fully confident in his game,” said Florida teammate Will Richard. “We see how hard he works every day. Now the world is seeing it, too.”
Florida (35-4) wouldn’t be on the brink of its first national title since back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007 without Clayton’s late-game heroics. He rallied them past UConn with 13 points in the final eight minutes of the second round, ending the Huskies’ three-peat hopes. Then, he drained two clutch threes to erase a late nine-point deficit against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
“That’s who he’s been all season,” Gators head coach Todd Golden said. “Big moments don’t faze him. He steps up, calms us down, and makes winning plays every time.”
In the semifinal, with Florida clinging to a lead, Clayton attacked the basket for a crucial layup with just over two minutes remaining, moments after teammate Alex Condon drew a pivotal charge on Auburn star Johni Broome — who was playing through a right elbow injury.
Fittingly, the game ended with Clayton hustling for a loose ball, tipping it inbounds to preserve Florida’s lead and secure the victory. His teammates knew — this is their guy.
“This group is special because we’re together — on and off the court,” Clayton said.
The SEC sent a record 14 teams to this year’s NCAA Tournament, and half of the Elite Eight hailed from the conference. Now, Florida has a chance to bring home the SEC’s first national title since Kentucky’s 2012 triumph.
They’ll enter Monday’s showdown with Houston riding an 11-game winning streak. The Cougars advanced by edging Duke 70-67 in the night’s other semifinal.
Alijah Martin, who played in the Final Four with FAU two years ago, scored 17 points for Florida, while Thomas Haugh added 12.
Auburn, the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, built an eight-point halftime lead in its second Final Four appearance under Pearl. But Florida stormed out of the locker room with a 13-3 run, taking their first lead of the second half on Clayton’s layup following a steal by Rueben Chinyelu.
The game featured 15 lead changes and 10 ties, with both teams battling fiercely throughout.
Chad Baker-Mazara led Auburn with 18 points despite playing through a thumb injury, while Broome finished with 15 points and seven rebounds but was limited after halftime.
As the final seconds ticked away, Broome — his elbow visibly braced — hunched over in disappointment before rising to shake hands, his red, tear-filled eyes revealing the sting of defeat.
“My elbow felt good going in, but there were moments it bothered me,” Broome said. “We got the looks we wanted — I just couldn’t finish them.”
Florida, however, finished the job — and now stands one win away from championship glory.
