What Experts Have To Say Ahead of Gators vs Houston National Championship

Check out what the buzz hours out from the national championship game is looking like for the Florida Gators

Here's all the Gators natty buzz | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

As the Florida Gators men's basketball team prepares to take on the Houston Cougars in the NCAA national championship, basketball experts have begun to share their opinions on tonight's game.

Led by First Team All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr, the Gators are making their first National Championship appearance in nearly 20 years. Most recently, Clayton Jr scored 34 points while leading the Gators to a 79-73 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Final Four.

If Florida were to win, it would be their third National Championship win in program history and the first since they went back to back in 2006 and 2007. For Houston, it would the Cougars' first title in program history, despite back-to-back berths in 1983 and 1984.

From score predictions to analyzing player’s draft stock, their have been no shortage of discussions surrounding the two No.1 seeds 

Gators on SI takes a look at the basketball media landscape ahead of the 2025 National Championship game:

Former NBA Player/NCAA Champion Jay Williams on Walter Clayton’s NBA Future

"A lot of scouts are starting to firmly believe that he [Walter Clayton Jr] could crack the Top-10. I could make a case that he should be the 2nd or 3rd pick in the NBA Draft."

- @RealJayWilliams @GatorsMBK | @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/4yxCwQjw5Q

— FLSportsTakes (@FLSportsTakes_) April 7, 2025

CBS Sports Basketball Analyst Jon Rothstein expects Kelvin Sampson to get his 800th win

"There's something about the Cougars.. the culture" ☝️@JonRothstein talks tonight's #NationalChampionship showdown with @BenScottStevens

Kelvin Sampson To Get Career Win 800? 👀#MarchMadness #NCAAM #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/PtKTdQfgmN

— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) April 7, 2025

Fox Basketball Expert John Fanta Expected Florida To Bring Home the Hardware

Had this championship game in my bracket. To be honest with you guys, I’m torn on tonight more than any title game in awhile because Florida has the best player on the floor but Houston is tough as nails. Total toss-up, but this was my original pick back on March 16! pic.twitter.com/USVmzTZsCC

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 7, 2025

CBS Sports Expert Gary Parrish Explains How This Is a Legacy-Defining Moment for Gators Guard Walter Clayton Jr

"With a Florida National Championship and another big performance, he will go down in history as one of the greatest performers this tournament has EVER SEEN."@GaryParrishCBS on Walter Clayton Jr. pic.twitter.com/7cXQ7DoJmR

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 7, 2025

The National Championship game will take place on Monday, April 7 at 8:50 p.m., broadcast live on CBS.