SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Houston Cougars will play the Florida Gators in San Antonio on Monday night with the national title on the line.
Houston (35-4) has never won an NCAA Tournament.
Florida (35-4) are looking to win their first title since winning back-to-back in 2006-2007.
Live Updates
8:00 p.m.
At the first break, Houston and Florida are tied at 8. Both teams have been VERY active on the boards.
7:58 p.m.
It’s getting chippy early. Joseph Tugler takes a shot to the stomach after the dunk. It’s 6-6 early.
7:54 p.m.
Houston scores first, taking a 2-0 lead.
7:52 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Joseph Tugler #11 of the Houston Cougars jumps for the opening tipoff against Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators during the first half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Al
The game is on!
7:45 p.m.
There is a watch party crowd here in Houston!
7:36 p.m.
Announcer Jim Nantz is one of the biggest Houston fans around.
Nantz told FOX 26’s Will Kunkel that “it’s going to be the night we’ve longed for forever.”
7:32 p.m.
Terrance Arceneaux has experience playing for a state championship in the Alamodome.
FOX 26’s Will Kunkel took him back for a trip down memory lane to remember the moment.
7:25 p.m.
Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz have some skin in tonight’s game.
Both bet Shiner Bock beer and Blue Bell ice cream on today’s game with their Floridian counterparts.
The losers will also have to wear the jerseys of the winning team.
If Houston wins, Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Rick Scott will send Cruz and his staff Cuban food, Key Lime pie and Florida beer.
7:20 p.m.
A team that knows a thing or two about winning a chip are throwing their support behind the Cougars.
7:13 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Houston Cougars fans cheer before the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Plenty of Coogs fans made the trip to San Antonio.
6:57 p.m.
UH star LJ Cryer’s mom and brother talk to FOX 26’s Anthony Antoine ahead of tonight’s game.
6:51 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars walks in during the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty I
Coach is in the building!
6:47 p.m.
Former UH star Clyde Drexler is in the house! FOX 26’s Anthony Antonie captured video of Drexler at the team’s hotel.
6:37 p.m.
Tonight will be Coach Kelvin Sampson’s first time coaching a for a national championship.
Sampson would be
6:30 p.m.
Our pre-game show is live!
6:25 p.m.
Send us pics in your Cougars gear and you could see them on TV and online!
6:24 p.m.
The Coogs have departed their hotel and are heading to the Alamodome.
6:20 p.m.
Phi Slama Jamma’s Lynden Rose talks to FOX 26’s Anthony Antoine about the game and the importance to the city and school.
March Madness Finals: How to watch Houston vs. Florida
What time is the March Madness Finals?
The game will tipoff at 7:50 p.m. central standard time.
Houston-Florida Odds
By the numbers:
DraftKings Sportsbook has Houston as underdogs in Monday night’s game. After the stunning Final Four win over Duke, the Cougars opened as 1-point favorites over the Gators, but the line has moved to favor Florida.
Spread: Florida -1
Moneyline: Houston -105, Florida -115
O/U total: 140.5
Houston Path to the Finals
- 78-40 win over No. 16 SIU Edwardsville
- 81-76 win over No. 8 Gonzaga
- 62-60 win over No. 4 Purdue
- 69-50 win over No. 2 Tennessee
- 70-67 win over No. 1 Duke
Florida Path to the Finals
- 95-69 win over No. 16 Norfolk State
- 77-75 win over No. 8 UConn
- 87-71 win over No. 4 Maryland
- 84-79 win over No. 3 Texas Tech
- 79-73 win over No. 1 Auburn
Share Your Coogs Spirit!
The Source: Information in this article comes from the NCAA, the University of Houston and more.
