Fans in Shock Over Houston’s Really Bad Last Possession in NCAA Title Loss to Florida

Kristen Wong | Apr 7, 2025

Screengrab on Twitter/ @CBSSports

The Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 in the NCAA championship tilt on Monday night in a game that featured controversial calls and some hard-to-watch basketball.

While Houston had a 12-point lead at one point in the second half, Florida clawed back setting up an extremely tight ending. After Florida missed one of two free throws, Houston got the ball back for a potential game-tying or game-winning shot with roughly 19 seconds left.

But, on the Cougars' final possession of the game, disaster struck.

Houston guard L.J. Cryer had the ball at the top of the arc and was heavily guarded, so he passed it laterally to Emanuel Sharp, who looked like he was about to shoot a three-pointer before changing his mind at the last second. He dropped the ball, but couldn't touch it again, and could only try to fend off a Gators defender before time ultimately expired.

Just a total mind-boggling play.

The WILD final possession, and the moment Florida won the national championship 🤯 🐊

(via @MarchMadnessMBB)pic.twitter.com/HoD60gLAhc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 8, 2025

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson will likely have some words to say about his team's final possession meltdown postgame.

Fans were quick to rip the Cougars for wasting their golden end-of-game opportunity:

Hakeem watching Houston in the national championship game pic.twitter.com/3sQMqZFpo4

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 8, 2025

watching Houston’s last two offensive possessions pic.twitter.com/gcjcCQp7rB

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 8, 2025

Houston's last three possessions, all in the final minute:

Turnover
Turnover
Turnover

Zero shot attempts

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 8, 2025

Wow wow wow. No shot up is ridiculous

— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) April 8, 2025

My eyes are bleeding watching the execution of the last minute

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) April 8, 2025

That’s a noob move! Give that guy a manual! What are you doing? 😂😂😂

— Chris Smoove (@Chris_Smoove) April 8, 2025

Every Houston offensive possession got progressively worse down the stretch

— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) April 8, 2025

Puke inducing final possession for Houston. Couldn’t even get a shot off.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 8, 2025

That last possession is going to haunt Houston into the after life.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 8, 2025

Houston final possession to win it all: pic.twitter.com/mgnv0dv0yk

— NotKennyRogers (@NotKennyRogers) April 8, 2025

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