What Happened
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. poured in 22 points as fourth-ranked Florida defeated sixth-ranked Tennessee, 86–77, in the 2025 SEC Tournament championship at Bridgestone Arena. The win marked the program’s first conference tournament crown in 11 years, achieved in front of a heavily pro-Volunteers crowd.
Clayton, who led Florida in scoring throughout the tournament and earned MVP honors, connected on seven of 18 shots, including four from beyond the arc, and added five rebounds. Senior guard Will Richard contributed 17 points, sophomore forward Alex Condon posted 13 points and nine boards, while sophomore forward Thomas Haugh came off the bench to deliver 11 points and six rebounds, five of them offensive. Graduate guard Alijah Martin rounded out the balanced attack with 10 points, four rebounds, and a highlight-reel dunk in the closing seconds.
Florida shot 42.3 percent against the nation’s third-ranked defense but knocked down nine three-pointers and excelled at the free-throw line — hitting 19 of 22 in the second half (86.4%) and 25 of 28 overall (89.3%). Tennessee trimmed a 12-point deficit to five on three occasions, but the Gators responded with an 11–2 surge to restore a 14-point cushion and ultimately secure the victory.
On the glass, Florida dominated 39–25, including a 15–5 edge in offensive rebounds.
The Gators led 39–30 at halftime and gradually extended the margin in the second half. Twice they built a 13-point lead, only to see UT guard Jordan Gainey, who finished with a game-high 24 points, spark an 8–0 run that cut the gap to five with under nine minutes left. Clayton answered with a three-pointer to push the lead back to eight, and later another deep shot ignited an 11–2 run capped by a Haugh triple, stretching the advantage to 14 with just over four minutes remaining.
Tennessee closed within eight with 1:55 left, but Florida spread the floor, broke the Vols’ press, and capped the night with a lob from Haugh to Martin for a thunderous alley-oop dunk, sealing the championship.
UF junior guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) surveys Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler and the Volunteers' defense during Sunday's SEC Tournament championship game.
What It Means
Preseason predictions had Florida pegged to finish anywhere between sixth and ninth in the SEC. Instead, the Gators captured their first basketball championship — regular season or tournament — since 2014. They also reached 30 wins for just the second time in program history heading into the NCAA Tournament, where they are virtually assured of a No. 1 seed.
In the Spotlight
The 2024–25 squad, led by head coach Todd Golden, has carved out a unique place in Florida athletics history.
Staggering Statistic
On Feb. 1 in Knoxville, Florida managed only 44 points in a 20-point loss — its lowest scoring output of the season. That game now feels like it belongs to a completely different chapter.
Up Next
Florida (30–4) heads home before gathering for Sunday night’s NCAA Tournament selection show, where they will learn which region will feature them as a No. 1 seed. Tennessee (27–7) is expected to secure a No. 2 seed.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
