Auburn and Florida battle for a spot in the national championship
- Florida and Auburn faced off in the NCAA Men's Final Four in San Antonio.
- The Gators entered the game with a strong winning streak and previous victories over Auburn this season.
- The outcome would determine which team advances to the national championship from the SEC.
In early April 2025, the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four took place in San Antonio, Texas, featuring two Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams: Auburn and Florida. Florida entered the championship game with an impressive record of 34-4, having won ten consecutive games since March. In the regular season, Florida showcased its dominance by defeating Auburn twice, including a significant 90-81 victory that emphasized their team strength. Both teams were vying for the chance to secure their league's first national title in men's basketball since Kentucky's last win in 2012, and the stakes were high as only one team would advance to the national championship game. The SEC has seen great success in various sports, including football and women's basketball, but it had not featured two teams in the Final Four together since Kentucky and Florida met in 2014. Auburn's coach, Bruce Pearl, described his relationship with Florida's coach, Todd Golden, noting that Golden was one of the first assistants he hired. The game presented a unique challenge for both teams, as they sought to solidify their programs and provide a thrilling matchup for fans of college basketball.