The Florida Gators found themselves down 9 with 3:14 to go versus Texas Tech in the Elite 8, having allowed the Red Raiders a second-half run after holding a slim halftime lead. Per ESPN analytics, Florida owned just a 6% chance of victory. To pull off their second comeback this tournament, they needed more heroics from Walter Clayton Jr.
Of his game-high 30 points, he scored 13 inside the final five and a half minutes. At the 59 second mark, Texas Tech clinging to a two-point lead, he dribbled out of the paint into a step-back three. Claiming its place in Gators lore, the ball settled into the net and dropped through, giving Florida a lead they would not relinquish. To hold on for the 84-79 win, however, they needed some help from a costly Red Raiders miscue two possessions later.
Florida Gators Clutch Shotmaking Aided by Devastating Red Raiders Error
Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams and JT Toppin put in valiant performances with 23 and 20 points, respectively. Following Clayton’s three, Williams got a good look for three himself but couldn’t hit. Florida grabbed the rebound and, in the next 10 seconds, neither team seemed aware of clock pressure.
With one second separating shot and game clock, the Red Raiders backed off on defense instead of pressing to try and force a turnover or commit a foul. On the sideline, coach Grant McCasland waved his arms wildly. Defenders then attacked the ballhandler beyond halfcourt. Florida struggled to advance the ball. They were in danger of a 10-second violation and giving Texas Tech the ball down one with 20 seconds at their disposal.
With 1 tick to get it across and still several strides behind the timeline, there was no way they would make it. And then, only then, did Texas Tech foul.
The needless swipe sent senior guard Alijah Martin to the line with the Gators in the double bonus, guaranteeing two shots. He made both and Florida retained firm control from there. It was a gutpunch for a Texas Tech team looking to reach its second-ever Final Four.
Instead of becoming the first one-seed eliminated, Florida is bound for a matchup with Sunday’s winner of Michigan State-Auburn.
Walter Clayton Jr. Is Ice Cold in Crunch Time
In his senior season, Clayton Jr. has averaged 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists, good enough for a spot on the All-America first team. So far in the tournament, he is scoring 22.3 points per game while canning 45% of his threes and shooting 89% at the line. Saturday night he made 13 of 14 from the stripe.
It isn’t just Clayton’s production. It’s his ice-cold clutch gene, too. To survive an upset bid two rounds ago against 8-seed UConn, the Gators needed 10 Clayton points in the final 4:27 to come back from six down. Again he sealed the deal with a three-ball at the 1:07 mark.
After a dominant regular season and SEC tournament championship, 32-4 Florida has had to play underdog at times in the tournament. It isn’t a familiar feeling, but either way, the program has ended its 11-year Final Four drought. The Gators will take whatever works to reach their first national title game since 2007, when they won their second of repeat crowns. More than likely, that will involve a considerable dose of Clayton Jr. in crunch time.
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